DJ’s tribute to sister who died days after her Doncaster hospital wedding

It was a poignant moment. Leanne, from Canley, had only become a mum a few months earlier to a son, Jake, and wanted the same surname as Jake and her husband, Mark.

But those who joined her at the service knew there was a sadness to the day – Leanne had advanced cancer and had only a short time to live.

She was aged just 30.

The wedding was held at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. And the couple had been able to exchange their vows at a ceremony arranged at short notice, largely thanks to the efforts of Macmillan nurses who were looking after Leanne.

The family has never forgotten how the Macmillan nurses helped. And this week, her brother, Dave Watson, is playing an online DJ set on his Facebook page to remember her and raise money for the organisation that employs them, on what is the sixth anniverary of her death, Monday May 18.

He said: “On May 11 we were told that she had breast cancer that had spread to her liver and her bones and was incurable but treatable. For seven days we were on an emotional roller coaster as she deteriorated rapidly.

“Usually you have to wait four weeks for a marriage license but Macmillan nurses were able to get the license and get a registrar out within hours and marry her in her hospital bed. Unfortunately days later she passed away.”

Dave, aged 38, was close to his sister. Her face is now tattooed on his left arm.

He said: “It was the worst time of my life, when we lost Leanne. It really hit us all. We were all at the wedding in the hospital. It was beautiful, but sad at the same time. We were all crying, but the wedding was what she wanted.

“Jake was a god-send, and all the family feel he was a blessing. If it wasn’t for him I don’t know how my mum and dad would have coped.”

Dave will play his set on his Facebook page from 6pm until late, playing music Leanne would have liked – bouncy hard house.