A RAMSBOTTOM woman with terminal cancer who was told to bring forward her wedding because she was not responding to treatment will walk down the aisle thanks to the help of a charity.

Kathryn De-Wet and Nick Slattery will tie the knot on February 7, at the Bolholt Hotel, with the help of Gift Of A Wedding, a Greater Manchester charity, which helps people with terminal or life-shortening illnesses organise a wedding if they do not have enough money or time to do so themselves.

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The couple first met about four-and-half years ago when Nick moved into a shared house, in Carr Bank Avenue, as a lodger.

They kept in touch after Nick moved out, and about a year later the pair became romantically involved.

Through most of their time together, Kathryn has been ill, and was later told that the breast cancer, which had then spread to her bones and lungs, was terminal.

The pair were engaged nine months ago after a romantic meal in Chester.

But just before Christmas, doctors told Kathryn that treatment was not progressing as expected, and while they could not give her a specific timeframe, advised her to bring forward her wedding, originally planned for later in the year.

Kathryn said: “They told me I had to get married as quickly as possible, and it was a bit of an impossible task for just two people, and that’s where the charity came in. Without them, we couldn’t have got where we are, in terms of the planning.”

Kathryn, 41, who works for Bury Council and continues to receive treatment at The Christie, added: “You focus so much on the palliative care and the cancer, the treatment is like a full-time job. It is good to be able to focus on something positive and deliver something that will bring good memories.”

Nick, 46, who works as a mechanical engineer, added: “Our life has been on hold really. A lot of the things we like to do have been put on hold. We like holidays but basically we haven’t been able to have any hobbies.

“I can’t wait for the wedding – it should be an amazing day.”

The Gift Of A Wedding charity was founded about three years ago by Patricia Harrison, a wedding planner, who was inspired by a friend who was given just 14 months to live after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Kathryn hopes she will be able to walk down the aisle herself, and that the treatment will not force her to use a wheelchair on the day.

She added: “It all depends on the treatment, but that would make it even more special.”

The couple hope to go on a short honeymoon afterwards the wedding, but Kathryn is set to continue her treatment the following week.