A WOMAN with motor neurone disease was ‘overwhelmed with joy’ after her marriage was blessed at a York church - followed by a ‘superb’ reception and complimentary honeymoon at a five star hotel.

Janine Harris and her husband Stephen, of Derwenthorpe, near Osbaldwick, got married ten years ago at a York hotel and always wanted their marriage to be given a blessing in church, said Stephen.

She was diagnosed two years ago with the devastating disease, a rare neurological condition which causes the degeneration of the motor system - the cells and nerves in the brain and spinal cord, which control the muscles in our bodies.

Stephen said Janine does not have long to live and they decided to press ahead with the blessing, which was held on Saturday at St Aelred’s Roman Catholic Church in Fifth Avenue,Tang Hall.

Janine was pushed up the aisle in her wheelchair at the start of the ceremony by her sons Cameron and Louis.

Stephen said the service was followed by a reception at Osbaldwick sports club, with guests transported there on a double decker bus provided free of charge by coach hire and bus operator York Pullman.

At the reception, top York musicians George Hall and friends performed, again for free, and Janine and guests also had fun taking pictures in a mobile photobooth.

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“It became quite emotional when our 14-year-old daughter Megan, who has been taught to play the piano by George, was invited on to the stage to play the keyboard when they sang John Lennon’s Imagine,” said Stephen, who is a former kitman with York Wasps and York City Knights, the rugby league club.

He said the Grand Hotel also agreed to give them a night’s accommodation for their honeymoon on a complimentary basis, which they took on Monday as they knew Janine would be too exhausted on the day of the ceremony.

“It’s been awesome, absolutely unbelievable,” he said.

“I cannot thank people enough for their generosity. It all went so well.

“At the end of the day, Janine was overwhelmed with joy at what had happened.”

He added that a charity raffle was held at the reception, with the prize being a weekend in London for two nights, supplied by Superbreaks, with rail travel included.

This raised £510 for St Leonard’s Hospice, where Janine, 48, had stayed on many occasions for respite care.

Stephen added that the blessing came only months after their daughter Chantelle’s wedding was brought forward a year in September, so that Janine could attend.