70-year-old with terminal cancer marries partner in hospital ceremony

A 70-year-old man with terminal bone cancer has married his long term partner while in hospital.

Roy Wilson, from Telford, broke his femur after an accident at home. He was taken to hospital, where he was then diagnosed with terminal bone cancer.

Roy hadn't been able to see his partner Jill Hird - now Wilson - since he was first admitted to hospital on April 1st, because of current visiting restrictions due to coronavirus.

After a conversation with the chaplain last week,"all the stops" were pulled out for Roy and Jill to be able to get married, including special dispensation from the Archbishop of Canterbury, since all weddings have been stopped due to lockdown.

The wedding was threatened as Roy started to show symptoms of Covid-19, but a test came back negative on Friday - which meant that everyone attending didn't have to worry about having to wear full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The couple were then married yesterday (April 27) by hospital chaplain Rev Simon Airey in a special ceremony, and face masks were worn by all who attended.

Staff at the hospital did all they could to make the day as special for Roy and Jill, including making handmade decorations and sourcing food. A wedding cake was also donated by M&S Food in Oswestry.

A healthcare assistant, Joanne Richards, was one of the couple's witnesses, and Nia Pritchard, a medical photographer at the hospital who's also experienced in wedding photography, took photos on the day.