A bride diagnosed with terminal breast cancer has married her fiancé from her hospital bed after being told she had only days to live. Maggie Batt-Rawden, 55, and Mark Batt-Rawden, 54, of Guildford, Surrey, exchanged vows at the Royal Surrey County Hospital on November 21, just 24 hours after receiving the devastating news.
Maggie was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, which later spread to her lungs. Last month, doctors informed her that her health had rapidly deteriorated and she was unlikely to survive the weekend. Determined to give his partner the wedding she deserved, Mark organised the ceremony in fewer than 24 hours.
Hospital staff quickly transformed a room into a wedding chapel, decorating it with bunting, flowers, fairy lights, and a cake. They even provided a 60ft extension lead for Maggie's oxygen machine. The bride was brought up the aisle in her hospital bed, led by her three children: James, 24, Tim, 20, and Lizzie, 18.
Mark said: 'Maggie had absolutely no idea how many people were coming and had not seen any of the preparation in the room, so the expression on her face was a picture. It was a true delight to see. There was so much love and laughter on the day.' The couple celebrated with friends and family until 10pm.
