A COUPLE’S hopes of a dream wedding as they battle against health problems have been boosted after the York community rallied round to help.

Well-wishers have donated £120 to Paul Burke and Lainie Thornhill, and an organisation called York Timebank has offered support.

The Press reported last week how Paul, a student of Holgate, had launched an online drive to raise £1,000 to help pay for his planned wedding this summer to Lainie.

He said they had been engaged for at least five years but had not got married because, suffering from poor mental and physical health, they were struggling financially and couldn’t afford it.

People who have since made donations include a victim of York’s Boxing Day floods who went on a visit to the circus, organised by Lainie.

Julie Kay, a humanist celebrant, said she responded to the article by offering to conduct the ceremony in return for ‘time credits’ from York Timebank, instead of her usual £400 charge.

“Bringing the community together to help each other and share skills, particularly in helping out with things that people on low incomes couldn’t otherwise afford is what Timebanking is all about,” she said.

“Any time credits they spend on their wedding can be paid back at their own convenience in a way that suits them, sharing their skills and time with others who need help.”

She said another member, Jo Milner, was an experienced wedding planner and had offered her services to help the day run smoothly.

Artists, Mary Pesseri and Julie Bagwash, members of ‘Chill in the Community’, had also offered to run a workshop for Lainie and other members to make the decorations for her reception.

Paul and Lainie have thanked everyone for their support.