North London Hospice quickly organised a very special event on Wednesday 23rd November – the wedding of Enfield couple Annette & Karl Foxlow.
Annette who was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago, has been cared for by the Hospice’s Enfield Community team for the past 3 years and came into the in-patient unit at Finchley at the beginning of November.
“I’ve heard about people getting married in hospital and hospices and was wondering how to go about it. Karl and I have been together for 15 years and often made wedding plans but other things always got in the way and we’d never got round to it.
Last year, when I was healthier, we were going to Gretna Green but that didn’t happen either. I was worried that time was running out.”
Staff at the Hospice were given 24 hours to organise the event, contacting the registrar, florists, a photographer, baker and other suppliers. All Karl had to do was buy himself a suit and collect the witnesses – even the wedding rings were taken care of.
The couple’s three children all took part in the ceremony at the Hospice; Tom, 8 was the ring-bearer, Molly, 11 was bridesmaid and 14-year-old Jack was best man. Afterwards the guests enjoyed a reception where local musician Ben Davis serenaded the special couple.
“It was just perfect” Annette said afterwards “ I felt very special and totally at ease. All the staff here are like friends that I’ve known for years even though I’ve only been here for a few weeks.The Enfield Community team have been like friends over the years too.
I am overwhelmed by the generosity of people and businesses in the local community who have pulled out all the stops and donated goods and time to make our wedding day so special.”
North London Hospice is a registered charity providing specialist care to those living with a terminal illness in Enfield, Barnet & Haringey.
Communications Manager, Deborah Mosdall said
“Organising Annette & Karl’s wedding is a wonderful example of how hospice care is not just about controlling symptoms and providing nursing care. It is also about providing spiritual and social support, allowing people to live with meaning until the very end of their lives.”
Discover more about the support and care services the North London Hospice provides here.
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