Publish date: 1 May 2023
... Leone and Richard
A couple have married in the chapel at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after the groom was diagnosed with cancer.
Leonie and Richard Bromley, from Fleetwood, who have been together for nine years, always wanted to get married after meeting on a night out in Poulton.
Both were looking forward to organising a big celebration with all their friends and family at Marine Hall, Fleetwood, in July. Then in February, Richard received his diagnosis and, due to recent news following Rick’s second round of chemotherapy, they quickly planned a more intimate ceremony.
With the help from ward staff, the couple received donations of food and decorations to help make the day special.
Leonie couldn’t thank them enough: “We had the discussions with the registrar and chaplain on the Friday and married on the Sunday. It was so quick, and we can’t thank everyone enough for what they did.”
Joking as he looked back on the day, Rick said: “It was a relief it ended up being a small ceremony, I didn’t stutter any of my words during the speech which would have been the case if we had done it in front of our 200 friends and family.”
Leonie added it was the extra special adjustments to Rick’s usually bare room that made her emotional.
“The Swan team and the staff on the ward surprised us by decorating Rick’s room. They made a space so I could sleep overnight that was decorated with lights and banners – it was really cute. It was a special end to an emotional day.”
Ana Goncalves, manager for Ward 3 where Rick is receiving treatment said: “Weddings in the hospital are not that common. In the 75th year of the NHS, this is a true example of how our patients are at the heart of everything we do.
“Myself and colleagues on Ward 3 feel privileged to have played a small part in their special day.”
