Funds are being raised to provide the perfect wedding for a couple who both fell seriously ill after their first child’s birth – before the new dad dies.
British couple Darren Warke, 46, and partner Linda O’Neill, 42, were delighted to welcome daughter Breyer into the world last year.
However, tragedy struck shortly after, when Darren developed Motor Neuron Disease. Linda then fell into a coma after suffering from a Puritary Embolism, and she awoke with Bell’s Palsy.
While Linda is now recovering, albeit slowly, Darren’s condition is said to be ‘rapidly’ deteriorating – and the family don’t know how much longer they will have with the new father.
The couple decided it was the right time to marry, and planned to have a registrar come to their home and carry out the ceremony.
This made sense for them financially as, now that his movement is restricted, Darren has had to give up work.
A friend decided to set up a fundraising page for the couple, insisting that they deserve a special and perfect day.
Maria Fearon wrote: “The reason we are raising the funds is because Darren also has no life insurance or source of income and is having to sell his car to pay for his pending funeral.”
“The support will mean that the family will have something special to remember ,and Breyer may not have Darren around for her childhood but she will have life-long memories and photographs and a DVD of their special day with her being part of it,” she added.
With funds on the page (link here) already standing at over £3,000, the public's generosity has not gone unappreciated.
Speaking to local newspaper the Liverpool Echo, Linda admitted: “We would have just got married in the living room, as we didn’t know how long we had left with Darren and it would have been a struggle, financially. But it’s just been amazing what people have donated, and we’re really thankful.”
