Hundreds of kind-hearted Cumbrians have stepped up to give a couple the wedding of their dreams - after the bride was told her cancer is terminal.

However, the charity organising the moving event has a final plea as it still needs vital services to make the special day complete.

The couple do not want to be identified, but are in their thirties and live in Cockermouth.

They will wed at a venue in Penrith on Thursday, April 27, thanks to the generosity of Cumbrians.

The event is being coordinated by Gift of a Wedding, a charity set up by Patricia Harrison about six years ago to allow terminally ill couples to tie the knot before they pass away.

It is often palliative care centres, hospices or other charities who contact Patricia to let her know about couples who don’t have the time or finances to arrange their own wedding.

“This couple are in their thirties, and it is the young woman who is terminally ill with cancer,” she told the News & Star.

“The appeal has been running for a few days and we have been overwhelmed by the public generosity. It is the first time we have done a wedding in Cumbria, and so our contact network is not as great as in other areas but people have been so kind.

“We’ve been able to get a dress, rings, videographer, make up artist, stationery, celebrant, photographer and a post box.”

Cumbrians have also stepped up to provide a DJ, a magician, a photo booth, flowers and transport for the groom.

Patricia added: “It’s absolutely fantastic. We can’t thank the people who’ve come forward enough: we really rely on social media and Facebook. Without that, I don’t know if we could do what we do.”

An appeal on Facebook has been seen by nearly 250,000 people and shared almost 2,000 times. So far, more than 1,000 people, organisations, businesses and groups have offered to help.

However, there are still some vital services missing, and Patricia is hoping the public can help.

They still need:

*A dance floor

*A starlight backdrop (to go behind the top table)

*Wedding favours - specifically someone who can make wedding cookies

*A hair stylist for the bride

*A wedding cake

*Wedding cupcakes

*A wedding planner

*Somebody who can provide chair covers, bows etc

*A drinks reception singer for the afternoon

*Another singer, group or band to sing in the evening

*A hotel in Penrith to give up their honeymoon suite for the night

“When we do weddings, we make them big and memorable,” Patricia explained. “On average they work out at the equivalent of about £12,000 to £15,000.

“These services will complete the day.”

While there have already been some offers for similar services, the charity says it can only use people or businesses with particular insurances.

For more details, go to http://giftofawedding.org/