IT was a day everyone who was there will never forget.
Terminally-ill Garry Warner was due to wed Jayne Ramsay on Valentine’s Day.
But when his condition suddenly deteriorated in Kirkwood Hospice, the wedding had to be quickly brought forward – and staff at the hospice more than saved the couple’s big day.
For they transformed part of the hospice into a chapel and the emotional wedding went ahead.
Jayne said: “We have not got long left together and it’s about quality. The wedding was one of the best days of my life.”
Garry Warner is terminally ill with lung cancer but was looking forward to marrying his bride, Jayne on Valentine’s Day in a romantic countryside setting.
But when his condition suddenly became worse, the wedding had to be brought forward and Kirkwood Hospice stepped in to not only save the day, but to make it a magical event.
Garry, 47, and Jayne, 39, had been due to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day at Bagden Hall in Scissett.
But Garry has terminal lung cancer and his condition deteriorated so badly that the Holmfirth couple brought the wedding forward – and staff at the Dalton hospice sprang to their aid.
They created a decorated chapel area for the ceremony on Friday and made the day care area into a reception room for 50 guests.
Jayne, a hairdresser, said: “The hospice have just been so absolutely wonderful. We can’t speak highly enough of them. It was like a five-star hotel in there. We feel so overwhelmed with what they have done for us.
“I would have been happy with the registrar at the bedside, but Garry is a strong determined character. He really is one in a million. A lot of people in his situation would be in bed 24/7 by now, but not Garry.”
The couple were joined for the moving ceremony by family and friends, including Garry’s 15-year-old son Zak and Jayne’s son Karl, who is nine.
The couple met five years ago at a wedding in Edinburgh. Garry, a computer technician, was best man and Jayne was matron of honour.
“He joked he was going to wear an orange suit and in the end he turned up in full Scottish regalia,’’ said Jayne. “I said are you a true Scotsman, lifted his kilt up and slapped his bare bottom and we have been together ever since.”
Sadly Garry was diagnosed with lung cancer in November and his health has gone downhill rapidly. He went into the hospice four weeks ago.
Jayne said: “Things have proceeded much quicker than we expected. It isn’t fair. But we are a strong couple and we are trying to pull whatever positives we can out of this terrible situation. We have not got long left together and it’s about quality. The wedding was one of the best days of my life.”
Garry and Jayne plan to make a substantial donation to the hospice to recognise the staff’s dedicated care.
Jayne said: “The nurses have just been like angels. It feels so much like home and we know we are not going to be here much longer and we are going to miss everybody. They are a big happy family.
“We think we are living in a world full of no compassion and it’s a beggar that we have to be put into a situation like ours to realise there’s some wonderful people around.”
The wedding photographer, Linthwaite-based Elspeth Moore, said: “The ceremony was beautiful and it was such a moving and special service. Even the registrar was crying.’’
Crosland Moor company Black Cat Fireworks gave the couple a dramatic firework display as a wedding gift.
Christine Springthorpe, director of clinical services at the hospice, said the staff were happy to help.
“I’m just pleased that we have been able to support Garry and Jayne to achieve what’s obviously a very important occasion for them.”
