Daughter's wedding celebrated at hospice for mum

A couple who had a wedding blessing in a hospice so the bride's mother could see them exchange vows are fundraising for the charity to say "thank you".

Jade Malkin and her husband Joe got married at Stafford's Shire Hall earlier this month.

But the blessing took place in a room at Katharine House Hospice where Jade's mother, Lynn Ecclestone, is a patient. The couple brought the big day forward so that she could be part of it.

Staff in the inpatient unit helped the family decorate the room and provided glasses of bubbly, flowers and a cake made by the hospice chef.

Now the family has set up a fundraising page because they want to "give back".

They said Mrs Ecclestone had been diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and up until five months ago was still playing football.

Mrs Ecclestone's husband, George, and other family members were also at the blessing.

Daughter Holly Baker said: "It was important for us as a family that we could celebrate the marriage with her."

She said it allowed their mother to be part of the celebration, so she felt that she had experienced it.

"Every moment is precious for our family at the moment, so it is nice to have some special and happy memories," she said.

She said the love and care shown by hospice staff for their mother had been "second to none".

Healthcare assistant Pamela Robson said: "Lynn was too poorly to go to the wedding in Stafford so we suggested a wedding blessing at the hospice.

"The family came in to see Lynn on the day of the wedding too, so Lynn could see her daughter's dress."

Ms Robson said the Reverend David Clark, vicar at the hospice, performed the blessing, and staff in the unit were more than happy to help.

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