Couple marry after 33 years after cancer diagnosis prompts hospice wedding
After 33 years together, a couple said "I do" thanks to hospice staff who arranged a wedding in under seven hours
A couple finally married after 33 years together when hospice staff organised their wedding in less than seven hours after the bride's cancer diagnosis forced them to postpone their original plans.
Karen and Stephen Glossop, from Eckington, married at Ashgate Hospice, Chesterfield, after staff transformed the courtyard of the inpatient unit into a wedding venue in just a matter of hours.
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The couple have been together for 33 years and had originally planned to marry at a local hotel.
However, Karen, aged 58, was diagnosed with cancer and her health deteriorated quickly, forcing them to postpone their long-awaited wedding.
After staff at the Chesterfield hospice learned of Karen's wish to marry, they worked with volunteers and local businesses to arrange every detail of the special day at short notice.
Flowers, photography, a wedding cake and a buffet were all donated, allowing Karen and Stephen to exchange vows surrounded by 22 family members and friends.
Stephen, 67, said: "We've been together for 33 years and this wedding has been a long time coming. But the day was beautiful and our wedding was so special.
"I am so grateful to Ashgate for making it happen. Everyone was astounding, making it all fall into place in just hours."
The retired HGV driver said the couple had always intended to marry but life got in the way.
He said: "We never found the time to get married. The kids came along and then life took over. But it was always our plan.
"I was so glad that we were able to get so many people together at such short notice at Ashgate.
“Some of our family are away, but we were able to gather 22 guests at short notice and Karen loved seeing everyone together.
"It will be something I'll always remember, and I'll be forever grateful to the team at Ashgate."
The couple have four children - Kym, Luke, Rebecca and Samantha - and five grandchildren.
Kayleigh Peacock, senior staff nurse at Ashgate Hospice, said: "It was a privilege to help Karen and Stephen celebrate such an important moment together.
"Seeing everyone come together to make the day happen so quickly was incredibly special, and we're grateful to everyone who gave their time, skills and generosity to make it possible."
The wedding was made possible by hospice staff, volunteers and local businesses.
Kelly Sydenham, who works in the hospice kitchen, prepared the wedding cake and buffet, volunteer photographer Ellie Rhodes captured the ceremony, and Fresh Ideas Florists donated Karen's bouquet and Stephen's buttonhole.