Helen Dixon leapt into action after doctors said there was nothing more they could do for kidney patient David.

Hospital staff rallied round to help Helen as she tried to fulfill the 43-year-old's dying wishes to marry her and live his last days at home.

Less than an hour after learning the devastating news, Mrs Dixon had arranged a civil ceremony at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, for the following day.

David's mother Mave and sister Toni took care of the bouquet and button holes and Helen alerted family and friends before breaking the news to David.

Now Mrs Dixon, 45, has spoken for the first time of the loss of her beloved husband and paid tribute to the NHS staff who made it possible for his dying wish to come true.

Their extreme dedication has been recognised with an award for going beyond the call of duty.

'I knew he was very poorly, but I didn't for a second think they were going to say there was nothing more they could do,' she said.

'They said he might only have a few days to live and I broke down. He was the love of my life – he was my soulmate. I didn't want to believe it.

'When I came out of that room I knew there were two things he wanted to do – get married and get home – and I was determined to do it.'

Less than 24 hours later, dad-of-one David was wheeled in his bed to the renal unit day room to Savage Garden song Truly Madly, Deeply where about 15 family and friends watched him wed his beloved Helen.

She wore a white dress with pink flowers David had bought her and he was dressed in his suit for the December 9 wedding.

Mrs Dixon added: 'I didn't tell him how poorly he was. We wanted him to enjoy the day for what it was. I was so emotional I wanted to cry, but I managed to hold it together for David.'

David was discharged two days later and passed away peacefully at Newbroke Road, Gosport, at about 8.15am on December 15.

Mrs Dixon added: 'I see him in everything I do and everywhere I go. To have David's name is very special.'


Fantastic staff helped pull off the big day

Kindhearted catering staff at Queen Alexandra Hospital have received an award for going beyond the call of duty to help make David and Helen's wedding day special.

The 22-strong team laid on a buffet and even provided a wedding cake, champagne and flowers after being told the circumstances of the couple's hastily-arranged ceremony– about four hours before the marriage was due to take place.

In March, they scooped the Living The Values Award at the national Value Awards hosted by contractors Carillion.

But their kindness does not stop there. The team have donated their £300 prize money to Queen Alexandra Hospital's £3m Rocky Appeal for three state-of-the-art keyhole operating theatres.

Executive chef Eddie Maggs said: 'We had to do it. My heart went out to them and we knew we had to help make their day as special as we could.

'You don't think in that situation, you just do it.

'I called my girlfriend for help and she picked up flowers, champagne and a cake and then decorated it at the hospital while we organised the food.

'We are here to help patients, that's our job and we will do everything we can for them. We would do it again in a second.'

Mrs Dixon said: 'All of the hospital staff were fantastic. I couldn't have done it without them. When you think about the amount of people who come through their doors, for them to have found time to help us is fantastic.'