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Cancer sufferer Charelle Neale to marry fiancé Matt

10:13am Thursday 9th September 2010 in


A CANCER patient with only weeks to live will marry her fiancé on Saturday after members of the community rallied round to give her a dream wedding.

Charelle Neale, 33, of Acomb, in York, endured 18 weeks of chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove her right breast, after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in March.

Then, on August 25, she and her partner, Matt Neale, 36, were given the devastating news the cancer had spread to her liver and there was nothing more doctors could do.

Charelle said: “Matt is the one who is going to be left behind when I die and it absolutely breaks my heart because we were only just starting our life together. We’re only just getting married.”

She said their wedding was initially going to be a low-key event, with a marriage ceremony at York Register Office, followed by a blessing at the Global Church, in Acomb.

But then Global offered the use of its centre for an afternoon party, while The Ainsty, in Boroughbridge Road, offered to host an evening party.

Charelle, who is mother to Georgia, eight, and Cameron, 12, worked as an administrator at Manor School before her illness. She said: “Everyone in the community has wanted to get involved and it’s just grown and grown.

“Someone is making 150 cup cakes for us, someone else has made all my wedding invites, and everybody has just wanted to make it so special for us. I have the best friends ever and the community spirit has just kept me going.”

Georgia will be her mother’s bridesmaid, while Cameron will be an usher, with the job of looking after his mother’s ring. Charelle’s best friend, Mel Hope, will be the chief bridesmaid.

Charelle said: “If I think too far into the future it does really upset me, so I’m just doing one day at a time.

“At first I just wanted to close the door and pretend it wasn’t happening, but then I thought life is too short, and quite literally is for me. I have always been stubborn and a bit of a fighter and I want to be an inspiration to my children. What’s the alternative? Lying in bed and waiting to die?”

She said at the end of September, they were looking forward to a week’s holiday at Center Parcs, paid for by the Willow Trust Foundation, a charity that buys treats for people with terminal illnesses.

She said: “Now and again I think ‘I hope I will make it to then’, but it gives me something to strive for and the kids are really looking forward to it.”

Charelle said she was anxious to pass on a message to other women, encouraging them to check their breasts regularly and visit the doctor immediately if they found any abnormalities.

Comments(28)

sheps lad says...
10:42am Thu 9 Sep 10

Heart warming and heart breaking. God bless.

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Chumpy says...
10:52am Thu 9 Sep 10

Brave lady, brought a tear to my eye.
best wishes to you both.

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The Grim Reaper says...
10:58am Thu 9 Sep 10

Maybe the Press could offer to do their wedding photos.
How tragic this story is, she is certainly one brave lady, and has a wonderful partner by the sounds of things.
Very best wishes to you both and your children xx

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frank west says...
11:03am Thu 9 Sep 10

Hope you both have a wonderful day.

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moneyforwhat says...
11:11am Thu 9 Sep 10

such a sad story, have the most fabulous day and rejoice that you have incredible friends - they've really pulled the stops out for you both. Wishing for a miracle..........

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paama says...
11:16am Thu 9 Sep 10

What a lovely but sad story. It should make people stand back and look at their lives and realise that they don'thave much to complain about. Hope they have a wonderful day.

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mum2ellieandjosh says...
11:47am Thu 9 Sep 10

Tragic story and what a brave amazing woman...hope they have a wonderful day and come on york press get your finger out and make sure they have everything they need for there special day!!

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Dallwan says...
12:14pm Thu 9 Sep 10

Agree with all of the above. A very sad but heart warming story. A very brave Lady with superb support. God bless you all and have a wonderful day.

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hifive says...
12:25pm Thu 9 Sep 10

What a beautiful smile she has considering everything she's been through.

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Lady Muck of NP says...
2:01pm Thu 9 Sep 10

mum2ellieandjosh wrote:
Tragic story and what a brave amazing woman...hope they have a wonderful day and come on york press get your finger out and make sure they have everything they need for there special day!!
I couldn't agree more, York Press make this an amazing day for the couple. Use your influence with the York wedding suppliers to find, flowers, cars, cake, photographer and video.

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myviewcounts says...
2:25pm Thu 9 Sep 10

If the press don't cover it then I will, charelle or matt if you need a photographer come and see me tonight at 6.00 at The Acorn Rugby Club and ask for Andy.G. If the press are going to cover it then please indicate so, this is a very special day that cannot be missed.

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Staypositive says...
2:59pm Thu 9 Sep 10

Thank you so much for the lovely comments, I am so excited for my big day and if anyone knows someone who would like to video it for us that would be appreciated. Other than that I think we have everything covered, we have just been given a 2 nights away stay which is nice. Thank you once again Charelle

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The Grim Reaper says...
2:59pm Thu 9 Sep 10

myviewcounts wrote:
If the press don't cover it then I will, charelle or matt if you need a photographer come and see me tonight at 6.00 at The Acorn Rugby Club and ask for Andy.G. If the press are going to cover it then please indicate so, this is a very special day that cannot be missed.
Well done "myviewcounts".

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myviewcounts says...
3:07pm Thu 9 Sep 10

Hi Staypositive, does that mean you have photography covered ? I hope someone will video it for you,

COME ON YORK PEOPLE SOMEONE MUST BE ABLE TO DO IT.
I hope you have a smashing day.

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Staypositive says...
3:11pm Thu 9 Sep 10

Yes we have a photograph thank you very much though, such a lovely gesture, heart warming

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sniper says...
3:15pm Thu 9 Sep 10

have you got a wedding car? if not i'll offer my services as i've just started up a wedding car company

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Garrowby Turnoff says...
3:50pm Thu 9 Sep 10

Best wishes to you both.

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Pedro says...
4:17pm Thu 9 Sep 10

Have a lovely day - wishing you all the best :)

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jelly10 says...
4:42pm Thu 9 Sep 10

Charelle, you are a lovely person inside and out, and we hope you have the day you deserve

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heathcliffe says...
5:20pm Thu 9 Sep 10

All the comments above restore my faith in humanity and just shows the generosity that most people have inside. This story is so sad but also shows the strength and courage of Charelle, my thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family and friends and I will be thinking of you on your special day.

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walkdengirl says...
5:46pm Thu 9 Sep 10

jelly10 wrote:
Charelle, you are a lovely person inside and out, and we hope you have the day you deserve
indeed, can't wait for saturday and to see you and matt spliced! it will be a very emotional day for all of us.

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Boatie says...
5:46pm Thu 9 Sep 10

At last comments which are positive!! May I endorse everything that has been said above, God Bless to you both along with your families.

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Big Fella says...
5:48pm Thu 9 Sep 10

Agree with all of the above - some fantastic offers and some fantastic people - enjoy your big day!

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spockboy says...
5:50pm Thu 9 Sep 10

Good luck to you both.

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dodgydave says...
5:58pm Thu 9 Sep 10

Hi Guys, please let me know if you need a DJ or any other form of entertainment, it would be our pleasure to help you. www.thinktankents.co
.uk

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joshe says...
8:36pm Thu 9 Sep 10

Charelle, keep positive.....miracle
s do happen. God Bless

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malcar says...
8:42pm Thu 9 Sep 10

I think you are a truly inspirational couple, and I think your log-in name says it all. You'll have a day to remember with lots of lovely memories and we send you all our thoughts and best wishes.

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Big Bad Wolf says...
4:02pm Fri 10 Sep 10

Wonderfull posative attitude, Good luck...A lot of people on here should learn from you.

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More News stories


York mum Charelle Neale and her fiance, Matt Neale, who are to be married on Saturday Charelle Neale with fiance Matt Neale, her eight-year-old daughter Georgia, her brother Charlie Jones, right, and his girlfriend Lisa Hustwayte, left

York mum Charelle Neale and her fiance, Matt Neale, who are to be married on Saturday

Charelle Neale with fiance Matt Neale, her eight-year-old daughter Georgia, her brother Charlie Jones, right, and his girlfriend Lisa Hustwayte, left



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