Dying man has special wedding service in hospital

Malcolm Gretton and Maureen Draper took part in the special ceremony on Friday

A man who has terminal cancer was given a special wedding ceremony for him and his partner in a hospital chapel.

Malcolm Gretton, 75, who is being treated at the University Hospital of North Tees, proposed to Maureen Draper, 57, in January after his health got worse.

The couple took part in a service on Friday conducted by the hospital's chaplain, and plan to have a legally-binding ceremony in a matter of days.

Ms Draper said “getting married is something we both really wanted”.

The couple, who live in Hartlepool, decided to make arrangements for the wedding just days ago.

Although they were unable to set up the legal formalities, they decided to hold a hospital ceremony in front of staff and loved ones.

“It’s been a heck of a week but we are both just so happy to have been able to share such a special moment with our friends, children and grandchildren," Ms Draper added.

“Soon we will make it official, which we can’t wait for.”

The couple met in 2016

She said Mr Gretton, who is known as Mally, has been her “rock” since they first met in 2016.

“He is a wonderful man,” she said.

“When we told the amazing hospital staff what we wanted, they have done everything to make it happen,” she added.

The team in the acute oncology unit and ward 38 at the hospital in Stockton, along with the chaplaincy team, came together to organise a special service.

Sally McQueeney, a trainee advanced clinical practitioner at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are honoured to have been able to make this a reality for Maureen and Mally.

“Mally has been someone we have all been privileged to care for – and to be a part of such a special day really has been something we will all never forget.”