Havant bride launches GoFundMe for Christmas wedding after dad diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer

A YOUNG couple are desperate to tie the knot this Christmas after the bride’s father was given months to live.
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Leah-Mae Daniels and her family from Havant were left devastated when dad Paul, 52, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer just two weeks ago.

Now the 20-year-old and fiance Jimmie Wride, 22, are fundraising to have their wedding in December so Paul, who has been given six to 11 months to live, can walk Leah-Mae down the aisle.

The Asda worker said: ‘I froze when I first found out.

Leah-Mae Daniels, from Havant, with dad PaulLeah-Mae Daniels, from Havant, with dad Paul
Leah-Mae Daniels, from Havant, with dad Paul
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‘I came home from work and mum told me. It started with him getting jaundice and we thought it would be something small like gallstones.

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‘We had no idea it would be something so serious and advanced. On September 4 he got taken in for cancer tests and was told he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was on his own as well, because of Covid, which makes it worse.

‘I felt heartbroken.’

Leah-Mae Daniels, from Havant, with her fiance Jimmie Wride, from PortsmouthLeah-Mae Daniels, from Havant, with her fiance Jimmie Wride, from Portsmouth
Leah-Mae Daniels, from Havant, with her fiance Jimmie Wride, from Portsmouth

Paul, a brother to four sisters, had a stent fitted to stop the jaundice, which is currently preventing the former metal sheet worker from starting chemotherapy.

Leah-Mae said: ‘Jimmie and I met in October 2016 and got together the day after we met at my family’s Halloween party.

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‘We obviously intended on getting married at some point but it seemed really important now. We got engaged on September 11.

‘We both decided it was the right time whilst my dad is still here.

Leah-Mae Daniels, from Havant, with dad Paul and mum JackieLeah-Mae Daniels, from Havant, with dad Paul and mum Jackie
Leah-Mae Daniels, from Havant, with dad Paul and mum Jackie

'I just want my dad to walk me down the aisle at my wedding and it will mean so much to him.

‘He is also a massive Pompey fan and we hope he can see one last game.’

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The pair are trying to raise £5,000 towards their big day and hope to get married at the Langstone Hotel.

Jimmie, who also works at Asda, said: ‘I’m pleased Paul will be able to walk her down the aisle and that we’re getting married.’

Leah-Mae’s mum Jackie added: ‘We both want to see her happy and for Paul to walk her down the aisle.

‘Also if anyone gets jaundice symptoms please seek medical advice as soon as possible.’

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