Terminally-ill bride ties knot with long-term partner after being given two weeks to live

A terminally-ill bride from Staffordshire has tied the knot with her long-term partner after the community rallied round to organise a wedding in 48 hours after being given two weeks to live.

Ann Ruddock, who's 56, was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer last month and was originally told she had between four and six months to live.

But last week, Ann's prognosis had changed - with just one to two weeks left to live.

She and her fiancé, Keith Pearce, who have been engaged for 10 years, decided to finally get married and started to discuss the idea with the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

Staff at the Dougie Mac, together with Emma Wisely at Leek Weddings - which helps terminally-ill people get married - pulled out all the stops to ensure Ann and Keith got their wedding day.

An appeal on social media led to an outpouring of support from well-wishers and local suppliers, who ensured all the wedding essentials - including the dress, flowers, hair and makeup, catering, drinks and the cake - were covered.

Ann and Keith's family and friends then joined then at their Blurton home to watch them say, 'I do'.

Keith, who's 55-years-old, said: "It's been so overwhelming. We just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for their kindness.

"We can't believe that people who don't even know us would do so much for us."

He added: "It's amazing, I'm so happy that we've been able to get married."The couple first met in the 1980s when they were both married to other people and then Ann moved away and Keith did not see her for more than 20 years.

After learning she was divorced, he looked her up and the couple got together around 12 years ago.

They each have four children and, between them, have 24 grandchildren.

Jackie Murray, from Fenton, who is a social worker at the Dougie Mac hospice, helped organise the wedding.She said: "When I found out about Ann’s unexpectedly short prognosis and their wish to get married, I was determined to do all I could to help them.

"We wish Ann and Keith all the best for their special day."