Two pensioners have tied the knot in hospital 20 years after first getting engaged.
Alfred Hulstone, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago, had been due to marry his long-term partner Val Heelam at Stockport Register Office but was rushed to hospital the day before after his condition deteriorated unexpectedly.
The couple, who are both 72, decided that rather than cancelling or delaying their big day any longer, to just switch venues instead.
Their families got to work, and with the help of MacMillan nurses and ward staff at Stepping Hill Hospital brought the register office and wedding guests to the ward – even buying flowers from a local shop.
Much to their delight, Alfred and Val were married by registrars before close family, friends and staff with a blessing from the hospital chaplain.
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The husband and wife, who are from Bramhall and were both married before, have been together 24 years having first met at the Natwest bank in Stockport where Val worked behind the counter and retired engineer Alfred was a customer.
Despite the wedding going ahead, a planned honeymoon in the Lake District had to be cancelled, but the couple are making the precious time they have together count with Val spending time by Alfred’s ward bed.
Staff nurse Lindsay O’Shuaghnessy described the nuptials as a “beautiful occasion”.
She said: “Our ward may not be every bride’s dream wedding place but it was a joy to help get the wedding together for Alfred and Val. It was a beautiful occasion many of us were quite tearful on the ward.”
Bride Val added: “I first asked Alfred to marry me twenty years ago and we’ve finally got around to it! It was a long romance, but a whirlwind wedding. We’d like to thank the ward staff who were so incredibly helpful in helping us get our special and important day together at such short notice.”
