A terminally-ill woman has received her dying wish to see her youngest daughter married.
The happy occasion took place at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital at the weekend.
Elizabeth Bridgewater, 71, knew nothing about the day until her daughter Nicole came into her hospital room in full wedding dress.
And she couldn't believe what she was hearing when her daughter then asked her to walk her down the aisle.
The last-minute ceremony went ahead in the hospital sanctuary watched by friends, family and staff.
Nicole and her now-husband James would have been married before now if they hadn't been caring for Elizabeth.
She has been at the hospital for the past month being treated for terminal cancer.
The special day was arranged by Nicole's older sister Lisa, who contacted Clyde 1 radio listeners for help.
'Determined'
Lisa made an emotional appeal to listeners only last Thursday to make her wee sister’s day as special as it should be.
Lisa, who lives in Knightswood, said: “We were told my mum was unlikely to make it through the next few weeks and she had mentioned that she would love to see James and Nicole get married after a four-year engagement.
"My sister and James were just happy getting married and making my mum’s wish come true, but I was determined to give them the day they deserve.”
Nicole, 30, and James, 30, had been caring for Elizabeth since her diagnosis in 2018, before she was eventually taken into hospital where she has stayed ever since.
Lisa, who suffers with ill-health herself, said: “Part of the reason their engagement was so long is because the couple were so busy looking after my mum, me and anyone else who needed it.
“Nicole and James are the most caring and selfless people and would do anything for anyone, especially my mum.
"So as soon as Nicole and I had the idea to surprise mum with a last-minute wedding in the hospital sanctuary, I knew I had to do everything in my power to make sure their day was special.
“I decided to email George and Cassi as I like to listen to them in the mornings and I knew they, and the listeners of Clyde 1 would do what they could to help me in my mission.
“I was completely blown away by the response.
'Cloud nine'
"I’d only hoped we could get a cake and my sister’s hair done, but in the end we had everything from spray tans, to a chauffeur driven limousine all day and even some wonderful gifts.
"It was so heart-warming hearing the response from people we’d never even met, and Nicole and James were truly touched.
“The wedding was beautiful. Nicole surprised my mum in her hospital room in her full wedding dress asking her to walk her down the aisle.
"At first my mum thought we were kidding on, but when she realised what was happening, she was over the moon and has been on cloud nine ever since.
“We’d like to thank every single person who made the day what it was. From the last minute humanist I found on my Facebook page, to the nurses and everyone who donated, gifted and sent well wishes – it meant more than you can imagine.
“Mum has been a lot spritelier since the wedding which we are hoping means we have her around for a bit longer than previously expected.
"She even stood up for a picture with the whole family despite not having been able to stand for the past six weeks.”
Nicole and James are also still coming to terms with their day on Saturday.
'I’d only hoped we could get a cake and my sister’s hair done, but in the end we had everything from spray tans, to a chauffeur driven limousine all day and even some wonderful gifts.'It was so heart-warming hearing the response from people we’d never even met, and Nicole and James were truly touched.
'The wedding was beautiful. Nicole surprised my mum in her hospital room in her full wedding dress asking her to walk her down the aisle'
Nicole's big sister Lisa
The hospital’s sanctuary is usually used for prayer and reflection, but the hospital allowed its use for the special occasion.
Elizabeth walked Nicole down the aisle of the sanctuary.
After the ceremony, the couple ate cake in Elizabeth’s room before the wedding party went on to Òran Mór for drinks.
Nicole said: “I would have got married in jeans and been happy curling my own hair if it wasn’t for the kindness of strangers who made my wedding day so remarkable.
“My hair and make- up were done and pulling up in a limousine made me feel like a real princess. I can’t thank everyone enough.”
George, presenter of Bowie@Breakfast said: “As soon as Lisa made her plea, the phone lines just lit up and didn’t stop ringing.
"I’m so honoured that we were a part of this occasion and could help make it the day the whole family deserved.
“There was never any doubt that our listeners across Glasgow and the west would come through for Lisa and her family, but we could never have imagined the overwhelming response.
"Thanks to everyone who played a part in this spectacular show of generosity.”
