Bridegroom dies days after hospital wedding

Mr Richardson married his partner Mandie on December 21, at only 24 hours notice, but he died days later.

His wife said the pair cherished their time together as husband and wife and paid tribute to staff at St James’s Hospital, in Leeds.

“It meant the world to us,” Mrs Richardson said.

“All he wanted to do was get married.

“It was very important we had that time.”

In March 2010, Mr Richardson, from Otley, went to his doctor with a cough but blood tests revealed he was suffering from leukaemia.

“I was devastated,” said Mrs Richardson, 46.

Mr Richardson began chemotherapy but became very ill and at one stage his family were told he only had 24 hours to live.

He pulled through, spending 11 weeks on a high dependency ward, but in December the couple were told the prognosis had changed. When the couple were told he had no more than three months to live, they decided to marry as soon as possible.

Mrs Richardson went to see a registrar in Leeds on December 20 and was told they could have the ceremony the following day at the Bexley Wing at St James’s. She contacted staff on ward 88, who swung into action, arranging flowers and champagne.

“The staff did all the ward up and the day room. If it was not for them, we would’ve just got married by his bed. “They made it special,” she said.

The ceremony took place in the day room, with friends and family surrounding the couple. Mr Richardson went home the next day and died there on December 29, aged 52. His wife yesterday thanked hospital staff saying: “I want to say a big thank you. They made our wishes come true.”