A YORK student has launched an online drive to raise £1,000 to help pay for his wedding this summer.

Paul Burke, of Holgate, said he and Lainie Thornhill had been engaged for at least five years but had not got married because they couldn’t afford it.

He said they suffered from mental health issues, including depression, which had been exacerbated for Lainie since she injured her knee and ankle in a fall last year, leaving her unable to exercise.

Lainie is also partially-sighted and suffers from fibromyalgia but Paul said she still gave up her Christmas in 2015 to help flood victims and also organised a circus treat for the victims last summer - for which she received a York & District Medal.

Now he wanted to make Lainie as happy as possible - even if it was just for one day.

“I wish for us to have just one day of joy and love,” he said. “I want her to have an amazing day.

“She is my rock and I would not be the man I am today had I not met her. Everyday I count my lucky stars that I met someone so selfless, kind and patient as Lainie.

“But I need help in raising money to help with the cost of the wedding.

“It’s making me panic because I am finding it harder and harder to be able to give her the day that I think she deserves.”

“The cost is certainly racking up, although we will be having a budget wedding, to the point where Lainie has a secondhand wedding dress which needs a lot of work doing to it, as well as cleaning because of the stains that it gained during its last wedding.,

“ I believe that she deserves so much more than “what we can afford”.

Any help that people could give would be very much appreciated, even if it is just a message of love.

“It may even lift Lainie’s spirits to know that our day will be extra special because of the help we receive.”

He said anyone wanting to help should go to www.gofundme.com/wedding-magical.