Pair's big day was magical

Colette and Gary Taylor, of Greetland, had only been engaged for a matter of months when they received the devastating blow that Gary, 44, had an eight-and-a-half inch tumour closing around his airways.

While the tumour is not cancerous, Gary will have to undergo major surgery to remove it, with potentially life-changing repercussions.

When news of their ordeal reached the community, fundraising snowballed to make sure their special day was one to remember.

Colette, 39, a teaching assistant at Wood Bank School, Luddenden Foot, said the couple had been left overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness.

She said: “The day was absolutely amazing, we really couldn’t have planned it better ourselves.”

The couple tied the knot at Calderdale Register Office last Friday, followed by a reception at Greetland Community Centre.

Colette added: “I broke down in tears and that set Gary off, it just shows that community spirit really does exist.

“It was just fantastic from start to finish and it has really given us such a big boost.

“I’ve been with Gary for ten years and I have never seen him so happy.

“It was just what he needed.”

Gary, an engineer, is scheduled for surgery on August 17, and the couple have already been inundated with offers of support and help as he recovers from the operation.