Staff at Stepping Hill Hospital went the extra mile to organise a wedding for one of their patients.

Gary Moran, 64, from Stockport, is very ill with abdominal cancer for which he has been receiving treatment at the hospital. Gary may not have long to live and one of his final wishes was to marry his long term partner Myra.

The staff from Ward C4 where Gary had been staying, together with the palliative care team, were determined to make sure Gary and Myra’s wish could come true and swiftly organised a ceremony.

The wedding took place in the hospital sanctuary, a new room set up during the pandemic which usually serves as a place of calm and contemplation for staff. Stockport registrars officiated while the hospital’s chaplaincy provided blessings and the hospital catering team laid on a buffet including a superb cake.

Visiting at the hospital is still strictly limited but Myra’s son Owen was able to be present as a witness alongside staff to celebrate the big day. Extra decoration was added with a donation from Stockport Age UK; Cheshire Flowers provided a bouquet, buttonholes and a spray for the cake and B is for Balloons provided some beautiful helium balloons.

The music that the couple chose was `A Thousand Years` by Christina Perry, `Perfect` by Ed Sheeran and The Wedding March at Myra’s request. Newlywed Gary was discharged the following day to receive palliative care at home.

Vivien Cameron, Palliative Care Discharge Coordinator said “Everyone really pulled together at short notice, and I’d like to thank everyone including the ward staff, catering team, chaplains, registrars, local businesses and of course Gary and Myra themselves for making it happen. It was an honour and a privilege to help Gary and Myra’s wish and to see their happiness up close.”