Tears flow as terminally ill mum marries love of her life

Stacey Morris, diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, is determined to make every moment count, after being told the cancer has spread to her liver and is now terminal.

And there was not a dry eye in the house as the 27-year-old married her long-term partner Gavin Stanley, also 27, at St Bartholomew's Church in Wednesbury in front of family and friends.

Despite being in a wheelchair for months the bride bravely found the strength to walk at the ceremony and enjoy the first dance with her husband.

The couple's four sons – six-year-old Olly, Reece, aged three, Joseph, two, and Charlie who is just five months, were also all christened after the wedding.

Everyone then made their way to the reception at Greets Green Sports Bar and Social Club, before the couple set off on their honeymoon to Rhyl, Wales.

Family friend Sue Peters said: "The day was fantastic, and Stacey who has been in a wheelchair for months, found the strength to walk with a stick. And she was able to have her first dance."

Stacey was diagnosed with breast cancer back in November 2014, after finding a lump following the birth of her son Joseph.

Since then she has undergone chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and radiotherapy, and had further major surgery to remove tumours in her brain and fluid around her heart.

Unfortunately the family has received the devastating news that the cancer has now spread to Stacey's liver, and sadly the doctors now say it is likely to be a matter of weeks rather than months.

Her mother Debbie has been supporting her in and out of hospital throughout, but said she was happy at being able to accompany her daughter to her wedding day.

She said of the ceremony: "I even wore a hat and a dress, and that's something I never normally do."

She was also delighted singer Gareth Gates, who Stacey has been a fan of since his Pop Idol days, took the time to send her a video wishing her well on the big day on June 25.

Stacey and Gavin who live on Old Park Road in Wednesbury, first met at her 20th birthday party.

Their youngest boy is also something of a miracle baby, with Stacey going through radiotherapy before it was discovered that she was 14 weeks pregnant with Charlie.

Now as the family comes to terms with Stacey's prognosis, money is being raised to support her children in the future, with the creation of charity Stacey's Journey.

A Facebook page set up by her school friend Heather Thompson is providing regular updates on Stacey's story, and has gathered almost 2,500 likes.

Proud of how the community has come together to support Stacey and her family, including with a successful fundraising night at Wednesbury town hall, marathon runs and a big raffle, is Councillor Elaine Costigan.

Her involvement in organising these events has seen her become a family friend, and she was among the guests at the wedding. "Around here we tend to stick together to help those in need," said Elaine.