A young mum diagnosed with terminal cancer looks set to fulfil her dream of marrying the love of her life.
Lianne Woodhouse’s world fell apart when she was told last week that the disease she was diagnosed with a year and a half ago is untreatable.
But thanks to childhood friend John Patterson and the kindness of people she has never met, Lianne’s wish to wed partner Craig Forster could come true.
Thousands of pounds have flooded in to a fundraiser set up to help Lianne and her family.
The 34-year-old from Annan said yesterday: “Since I was told last week the cancer is incurable, I’ve struggled to get my head around it.
“But thanks to the overwhelming generosity of people I don’t even know, it looks like I’ll finally be able to marry Craig.”
After five years of feeling unwell and treatment by the cholorectal team at Dumfries Infirmary and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Lianne was eventually told she had cancer in February 2021.
But despite surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the treatment was unsuccessful.
Lianne underwent another two major surgeries lasting more than 10 hours each which left her with two stoma bags.
Good news arrived in August when she was given the all clear, but when she still didn’t feel right and further investigations took place, Lianne was finally told the cancer had returned and it was incurable.
She said: “I still can’t get my head around it. It feels like I’m talking about somebody else.
“This disease doesn’t care who it picks on, or what age you are.
“My mum and dad, Craig, family and friends are all devastated.
“I’ve been offered more chemotherapy to hopefully reduce the tumours and help with the pain I am in every day.”
Lianne and Craig were planning on tying the knot further down the line, but are determined to bring their big day forward.
After hearing Lianne’s news, friend John started a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise money for Lianne and make her wish of marrying Craig come true.
He said: “Lianne is facing a gruelling six months of chemotherapy but when it’s finished, I really want to make it possible for her to have her big day.
“Unless a miracle happens, Lianne’s daughter will lose her mum and Craig’s daughter will lose her step-mum. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.
“Lianne is an inspiration to so many people and it would be great if people could donate something to make as many memories as possible for her and the family.”
Overwhelmed Lianne said: “I was in complete shock when John phoned me to tell me what he was doing and that more than £6,000 has been raised already.
“I’ve been offered wedding dresses, photography, cakes, make-up, hall hire and so many other things for the wedding by so many businesses and people.
“Craig and I have two girls between us, my daughter Georgie Stitt who is nine and Craig’s daughter who is also called Georgie is four.
“They have had their worlds turned upside down and have been the bravest little girls through all of this.
“Because of John and the community, we are going to be able to enjoy our special day that we dreamed of having, make some very special memories for the four of us and also not have to worry about fuel costs for going up and down not just to Dumfries hospital weekly but to Edinburgh as well.
“We will never be able to put into words or explain what this means to all of us. Thank you just doesn’t seem enough.
To make a donation, visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-lianne-fulfill-her-dreams
