A COUPLE who renewed their wedding vows at a county hospice said it was a day they will treasure forever.

Ron Brotherston, who has been staying at the Inpatient Unit of St Michael's Hospice, marked the occasion with his wife Julie.

The couple, who were due to celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary, decided to bring forward a party for family and friends after speaking to the hospice's clinical team. 

And it was while organising the get-together that they met their friend, The Reverend Mark Townsend, who asked whether they had considered renewing their wedding vows.

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“We just thought, ‘yes, we’d love to do that’, and it went from there,” said Mr Brotherston, who has been with Julie for 23 years.

“St Michael’s were just brilliant when we told them what we’d like to do. The ceremony was led by Mark and took place in the Hospice’s Garden Room on a beautiful sunny day

"The kitchen team put on food for us and helped make it such a happy yet emotional day for us both."

The pair were joined by their beloved dog, Tizer, a familiar face on our Inpatient Unit during his many visits to Mr Brotherston's bedside.

Mrs Brotherston said the day was attended by family and friends, who helped make it such a special occasion.

“It was a day I’ll treasure forever,” she said.

“There were plenty of laughs, and a few tears, but it was a memory I’ll never forget.”

Mr Brotherston has been staying at the Bartestree-based hospice for the past month so, and said he can't speak highly enough of the staff and volunteers.

“St Michael’s is such a tranquil, relaxed place,” he said.

“The staff are so attentive. It’s just such a comfort to be listened to and to be asked what’s important to us. I couldn’t ask for more from anyone here, I really couldn’t.”