Hospice hosts wedding for cancer patient in hours

Hospice staff organised an "unforgettable" wedding in seven hours so a cancer patient could marry her partner of 33 years.

Karen and Stephen Glossop, from Eckington in Derbyshire, put their wedding plans on hold after Karen was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and her health deteriorated.

After a conversation with staff at Ashgate Hospice, Chesterfield, where Karen is currently an inpatient, the couple's wishes became a reality, all in the space of a few hours.

Karen, 58, and Stephen, 57, exchanged their vows in the hospice's courtyard, which was transformed into the wedding venue, on Thursday, surrounded by family and friends.

Stephen said getting married was always the couple's plan but "life took over".

The pair have four children - a son and three daughters - Kym, Luke, Rebecca and Samantha, and have five grandchildren.

"We've been together for 33 years and this wedding has been a long time coming," Stephen said.

"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."

Local businesses stepped in to support staff and other volunteers to make the day possible, complete with flowers, photography, a wedding cake and a buffet, the hospice said.

Kelly Sydenham, who works in Ashgate Hospice's kitchen, prepared a wedding cake and buffet for the family to enjoy.

Stephen, who is a retired lorry driver, said it would be a day he would "always remember".

"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," he said.

Senior staff nurse at the hospice, Kayleigh Peacock, 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."

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