Leamington couple wed after cancer diagnosis

And despite still undergoing treatment for a rare form of pancreatic cancer, Chris, aged 41, accompanies his wife on her training runs and plans to be the first to cheer her past the finish line.

Charlotte, aged 30, a social worker, of Hunningham Road, Offchurch, was devastated when she was told her partner Chris may only have months to live.

But within minutes of receiving the shock news, Chris proposed and the pair put the final plans to their dream wedding.

With the help of friends and family, it was organised within 10 days and the couple tied the knot at St Gregory’s church in Offchurch.

Chris, aged 41, a photographer, was told he may only have months to live by doctors at Warwick Hospital last September.

And as thanks for the care he has had, Charlotte will join more than 4,000 women taking part in the 5k and 10k events at Stoneleigh Park at 11am on Sunday June 30, in a bid to raise more than £400,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Charlotte said: “Chris has been offered the chance to go on a trial drug so we know just how crucial ongoing research is.

“That’s why I’d encourage anyone who can to take part. You don’t have to run 10k like me - you can walk, skip or jog round the 5k course.”

Chris, who has three children from a previous marriage, was diagnosed with secondary cancer in August last year after suffering pains in his abdomen.

“I knew I wanted to be married to Charlotte, so when they said it was non-curative I knew what I was going to do,” said Chris.

Charlotte had always wanted a country church wedding and months before had planned many of the details and who would be bridesmaids.

She said: “We went into the family room after the consultation and he asked me to marry him.

“It was all a bit bitter sweet. I’d been pestering him to marry me for a while so of course I said yes. Later I burst into tears while my dad was with me.

“He knew I hadn’t wanted a rushed affair so he told me there and then he’d give me the wedding I’d always wanted.

“We set the wedding date for ten days later and planned it all from his hospital bed which was a welcome distraction.

“It was the most amazing and magical wedding. It was just as it would have been if we’d had a year to plan it.

“People have raised so much in Chris’s name since then that I feel like it’s my turn now. We want to do our bit to beat cancer for future generations.”