A Stafford hospice pulled together to make a patient’s wedding wishes come true.

Philip Locke and Yvonne Cartwright were already set to get married when Philip became too ill to manage at home and was given a room at Katharine House Hospice.

It was all hands-on deck with staff at the charity rushing around, sweeping the
garden, sorting balloons, spreading confetti and more to get everything ready for the
big day and help make it special.
Despite a change of venue due to Philip being admitted to the hospice just days
before the wedding, the couple’s big day went smoothly in the charity’s gardens on a
sunny day.
Yvonne explained: “In August we just decided to get married, but I had to rush
around and get it moved after Philip got a room at the hospice.
“I can’t believe it, I called the registry office and told them what was going on just five
days before. Thankfully it was all approved and was able to go ahead.
“It happened really quickly and Katharine House Hospice have been really good, it’s
so nice what they’ve done.
“They did all the arranging and made the setting beautiful, it’s just amazing with all
these extras – it’s 10 times better than what we could have done, it’s just been
perfect.
“Katharine House Hospice made it a wonderful day, we couldn’t wish for more.”
David Fletcher, Director of Care, said: “It was lovely to see another wedding at the
hospice. Our staff are amazing at going above and beyond for our patients and this
is just another example.
“I was happy to play a small part in preparing on the day and gifting them two bottles
from all of us.
“We wish them all the very best.”
Yvonne even knitted a jumper for Philip to wear on their wedding day.
She said: “It took me two months and was a labour of love. I went wrong so many
times and had to undo it but made it in the end.

“Philip likes jumpers and is always cold, he wears lots of layers around the house. I
always get him Christmas jumpers so thought I’d make him one instead.”
Philip adds: “It’s been absolutely brilliant at Katharine House Hospice and I can’t fault
anything, the staff are lovely.”
Yvonne added: “It’s taken the weight off my shoulders. I know Philip is well looked
after to a high standard, that I couldn’t have done myself.
“And it’s nice to know we’re both supported.”
Katharine House Hospice aims to enable patients with life limiting conditions to live
life as fully as possible and make the most of the time they have, as well as
supporting their loved ones.
It costs £3.7m a year to provide vital free palliative care services and they rely
heavily on the support from the community.