Couple marry at hospice hours before husband dies

David and Alison Bothwell were surrounded by friends and family as they married in a colourful service

A couple were married in Jersey Hospice’s garden hours before the husband died.

David and Alison Bothwell had a ceremony on 15 August with family, friends and staff in attendance.

Mrs Bothwell said it was "absolutely wonderful" and the "perfect ending for his life".

She has praised hospice staff for organising the wedding on just a few hours' notice after Mr Bothwell proposed towards the end of his life.

The couple travelled the world together with Mrs Bothwell's sons

The couple met 24 years ago when Mr Bothwell was the co-owner of the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and Mrs Bothwell called him to organise a concert for St John Ambulance.

They started seeing each other four years later.

A few years on, Mr Bothwell developed a life-threatening illness that affected his mobility.

Despite that, the couple travelled the world together with Mrs Bothwell’s two young sons from a previous relationship.

Alison Bothwell wants others to know how much hospice staff helped her and husband

Mrs Bothwell wanted to share the story of the wedding to raise awareness about how much support Jersey Hospice staff have offered her and her family.

She said: "I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart and the staff have been superstars.

"I don't think we expected David to pass away as quickly as he did after the wedding but I couldn't think of anywhere else or any other circumstances that would have been more fitting."

People came to the wedding wearing bright shirts and in hats, both of which Mr Bothwell had enjoyed wearing.

Music was played as Alison and David Bothwell got married

Kerry Huelin, a health care assistant at Jersey Hospice, was by Mr Bothwell’s side during the wedding.

She said there "was so much love and happiness" and "everybody worked as a team" to make sure the service happened.

"We got him seated and then I spoke to David and asked him if he wanted to stay next to me and he put his hand on mine asked me to stay close," Ms Huelin added.

She also said "I knew I was being recorded from all angles" so tried not to cry but she was "very grateful I had a box of tissues in my hand".