New wedding charity for terminally ill brides appeals for donations at upcoming wedding fayre

A Somerset-based organisation will be part of a wedding fayre in Chipping Sodbury where the organisers are not only looking to sell wedding services bit also hoping to receive wedding memorabilia as donations in aid of terminally ill brides-to-be. The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation, founded by Naomi Thomas last year, is on a mission to create magical weddings for terminally ill brides-to-be and has received widespread support from the local community and businesses for their efforts to enhance the wedding day for those given a limited time to live.

Ms Thomas launched the foundation soon after being diagnosed as terminally ill herself. The 28-year-old was informed just six days after giving birth to her child that she had been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. She was given five years to live and it was then that Ms Thomas and her partner Graham felt the urge to get married and spend the rest of their time as husband and wife. When news of Ms Thomas' tragic story surfaced, a wedding planner stepped in and helped organise the big day along with other local wedding companies who offered their services free of charge.

Since her wedding in June 2012, Ms Thomas has started her own organisation, The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation, to help other terminally ill brides-to-be fulfil their big day. Her efforts have attracted the attention of several Chipping Sodbury businesses who are keen to be part of the organisation's activities.

Among them is Wayne Smith who runs a wedding car hire company, Ken's Kars, from his home in Blanchards in Chipping Sodbury. He said: "t is such a good cause. Anyone person who is at all emotional is going to care. Everybody know someone who has died from cancer or who is suffering with it. It is one of those everyone can associated with."

Mr Smith has previously chauffeured a bride last year who suffered from terminal cancer. He said: "She has since passed away. But if you can’t do something like that when you are in a position to help, well, it is a poor job really."

Other wedding companies in Yate and Chipping Sodbury who have signed up their services for free as part of The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation's activities include florists, dress shops, DJs and toastmasters.

At The Chipping Sodbury Wedding Fayre, The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation will have their own stall and encourages anyone with unwanted wedding memorabilia like wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, tiaras or shoes to donate them at the event to help with their campaigns with terminally ill brides-to-be.

To find out more about The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation, click here.