It’s not often something borrowed, something blue at a wedding is an NHS lanyard.

But when HRI’s ward 22 turned around a wedding in a day the bride was simply delighted with it.

John Dunleavy and Celia Hillam were due to get married this Tuesday (Oct 29) at Calderdale Register Office. However, at the end of last week, John needed transferring to Leeds for care so our team brought their big day forward.

They contacted the Chaplain George Spencer who brought in a Registrar from Lindley, they sourced a chocolate wedding cake and staff nurse Annette Wilson, who is a part-time florist, made up a beautiful hand-held purple and pink bouquet to match Celia’s jumper.

Celia, said: "I came for a two-hour visit and I ended up getting married. The plans were that we would have my daughter, my son and their partners at the wedding and also our two grandchildren on the planned date of 29.10.19. As the wedding took place as it did, our grandchildren were at school and sadly missed the wedding as did my daughter, her partner and my son’s partner. My son Matthew just made it from work and was John’s best man."

John and Celia first met when they were 19 and 15 and he was her brother’s friend. Many years later they reunited and they’ve been together for 17 years.

Annette, said: “This was a real team effort.  When we heard John was not going to be fit for his wedding we knew it could be done in hospital in special circumstances. It was a total team effort and we all clubbed together to make it happen.”

The registrar had a few moments before the service with the couple and it went ahead after approval from a very senior bishop under special licence.