RADCLIFFE charity worker Ian Siddall embarked on another mission on Saturday (Sept 29). This time it was to wed his Romanian bride.

Ian (55), of Haworth Street, has made 39 mercy missions to Romania and eastern Europe.

And it was as result of his humanitarian work that he met 33-year-old Raluca Barbosu.

The couple tied the knot at Wesley Methodist Church, where they are both members of the congregation.

It was accounts of Ian's charity ventures in the Bury Times newspsper which first brought the sweethearts together.

Ian explained: "Raluca came to Radcliffe three years ago to visit friends and read about the drives I do to Romania to take medical supplies and other necessities to the hospitals and orphanages over there." Raluca made contact with Ian and spent time helping him package up the donated items for his next delivery.

"She ended up staying in Radcliffe to be with me," Ian explained. "She now works in my charity shop, Transglobal Humanitarian Aid, in Church Street."

Sadly, Ian has bone cancer and prostate cancer and, although he is currently in remission, he knows the condition is terminal.

"Although I love Raluca, I was initially reluctant to marry her because I didn't want her to be saddled with all the upset and the responsibilities. But she insisted, which I'm obviously glad about."

As a wedding present, church members organised an afternoon reception and buffet for them.

It was followed by an evening reception at the Hawthorn Hotel in Stand Lane before they set off for a three-day honeymoon in Blackpool.