Real Life

Strangers help dying mum marry her sweetheart

Courtney's final wish was granted, thanks to more than 1000 kind donors.

Courtney was just 19 years old when she received the devastating news that she had cancer.

After a long battle with the disease including multiple rounds of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy she learned in April this year her cancer was terminal.

But there was one thing Courtney wanted to tick off her bucket list – marry her childhood sweetheart, Billy.

And last week, thanks to kindness of strangers, she did.

Courtney, from from south-east London was the subject of a crowd fund appeal on causewish to raise money for her wedding.

“Courtney has been unbelievably strong, coping with treatments and their side effects and was often given bad news, whilst being a mum and raising a beautiful little girl alongside her partner Billy, who has been her rock throughout the years,” says the causewish project.

“Billy proposed to Courtney in November 2013. They had planned to get married in November 2015, but this week was advised by her medical team that they should bring forward the wedding as she may not be well enough in November, as her disease is terminal.

“We need to raise money quickly to give Courtney, Billy and Dolcie the day they deserve and provide a special memory that the family will always treasure.”

An impressive 1017 people donated to the cause raising $47,871 AUD (£22,986.00).

The UK Mirror reports the wedding was a huge success.

“Courtney looked every inch the fairytale bride. When she saw Billy’s face, all the pain that has racked her body disappeared,” they wrote.

“There was an emotional scene when father and daughter made their own promises to be there for each other after Courtney dies.”

Courtney sent a big thank you to her supporters on the site: “I am so overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness and help. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.”

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