Terminally ill patient marries the love of her life at Ashgate Hospicecare

Lindsay, a terminally ill patient at Ashgate Hospicecare who lives with pancreatic cancer, chose to tie the knot with her – now – husband, Simon, last week in Ashgate Hospicecare’s boardroom.

The ceremony, which was put on with the support of the hospice staff and a number of kind donations from local businesses, was incredibly moving despite social distancing rules. It was attended by a small group of the couple’s family and friends, as well as their 19-month-old son Isaac.

Lindsay, who can now also be referred to as Mrs Birley, told us: “We had such a special day thanks to Ashgate. We had hoped I would be well enough to get married in Chesterfield, but it wasn’t possible so I can’t thank the hospice enough for everything they have done. We’ve been going through some tough times but it was a really lovely day.

“I’d class Ashgate as my second home. My family can’t believe how well I’ve looked since I’ve been here but it’s because my medication got switched around so I’ve been sleeping so much better and shows how comfortable I am.”

Anne-Marie Carey, a Consultant in Palliative Medicine as part of the hospice’s In-Patient Unit, regularly looks after Lindsay. She added: “I’m so happy that this special day was able to go ahead and Lindsay, Simon and Isaac were able to have the special day they had hoped for and we all wanted for them.”

Unfortunately due to COVID-19 guidelines, no reception could take place so instead the hospice’s Head Chef, Mark Taylor, created a special takeaway wedding breakfast box for each of the guests.

Other local businesses that pulled out all the stops for Ashgate’s happy couple included: Blanc & Blanc Occasions which provided shoes, Fresh Ideas Florists which provided all the flower arrangements, Natalie Reynolds MUA who provided hair and makeup services, Weddings by Dragonfly which decorated the room and Tom Hodgson who photographed the whole event and captured a memory which the family will keep forever.

And finally, Lambs Cupcakes of Chesterfield made the spectacular wedding cake which was colour coordinated with Lindsay’s dress for a fraction of its usual price.

Ashgate Hospicecare supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.