A terminally ill dad who has just weeks left to live is desperate to attend his own living wake with loved ones before he dies.
Gordon Airlie was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukaemia in April 2021 and initially given just 48-hours to live after his diagnosis at Ninewells Hospital.
The 47-year-old had suffered from recurring sickness, body pain, blood blisters and noticed blood in his urine and faeces.
The dad fought on and received a stem cell donation at the end of the year but the aggressive cancer returned and Gordon was given weeks to live on March 3, 2022.
Gordon, from Dundee, had two dying wishes - to marry partner of 21-years Audrey, 53, and host a living wake for himself.
Initially both events were planned for March 18 but doctors advised the family to move the wedding forward and within 12 hours they had planned the event at their family home.
Step-daughter Kirsty McLean, 34, told the Record: "We got the blood test results on the Friday and doctors said the disease was progressing fast and he might not make it to the wedding.
"Within 12 hours we had organised a wedding to happen at the house. We were running about all over town trying to arrange everything and get cakes.
"We decorated the house and stuff as well with balloons. It was just close family and friends that attended.
"We're now planning his living wake at the moment and waiting on another blood test to see how much the cancer has progressed.
"I had personally never heard of a living wake before and didn't know it was a thing but he wants to get all his pals together one last time to say goodbye."
The living wake is currently planned for March 18 at Gordon's favourite local, Club 83 in Dundee, but the family expect they will need to bring the event forward again.
A band has been booked for the entertainment and a photo booth and photographer have been booked to capture precious memories.
Loved ones will also be encouraged to write down their favourite memories with Gordon to share at the special event.
Gordon, who is step-dad to Kirsty, Tami and Dana, and dad to Kerr, is also hoping to have a final outing with his grandchildren.
"I don't know how I'll manage at the wake, all my sisters and I have done is cry," Kirsty said.
"We are all just in so much shock - we couldn't believe it - because he did get the all clear in January. Even when he was diagnosed in April last year we had thought it was a sickness bug.
"My mum is one of the strongest women I've ever met. It's just her there on her own trying to do everything for him so I think it will really hit her after."
Dave Mack from Club83 said they would make sure Gordon, nicknamed Googs, had a very special evening.
He told the Record: "Googs is a very well respected member of the Club and dart team. He's a good friend of mine as well and has been here for years as a leader of the darts team.
"For his living wake we will assist his family and make sure we give him something very special.
"He is such a great guy - he popped in the other week to see everyone and the club was full of people wanting to hi.
"We're going to pull out all the stops for him to give him a great farewell."
The family have scraped together so they could pay for the last minute wedding and are currently paying for the wake with their own cash.
Tami has launched a fundraising page to go towards the cost of the wake as leftover cash will go to Gordon's final outing with his grandchildren.
Donations to the page can be made by clicking here.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
