SLIDESHOW: Doncaster cancer mum with just weeks to live enjoys dream wedding

A Doncaster mum with terminal cancer has been given the wedding of her dreams, just weeks before she is due to die.
Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.
Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.

When Jim Malton proposed to his lifelong friend and girlfriend of six years, Jackie Collins, the pair could not have imagined the difficult engagement they would face after the mum-of-three was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour.

But despite obstacles the couple have faced since Jackie, 42, was diagnosed last year, nothing has been able to stop the couple from declaring their love for one another in the wedding of their dreams.

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The couple said they wanted to get married before Jackie, who has been given just six to nine weeks to live by doctors, went into her ‘final stages’.

Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.
Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.

And Doncaster cancer charity, The Eve Merton Dreams Trust made sure that every single detail of the pair’s big day - from Jim’s suit to the blushing bride’s tiara - was ‘perfect’.

Jim, 38, of Mill Gate, Bentley said: “Jackie looked absolutely stunning.

“When I was standing there, and the bridesmaids were walking up the aisle and parted so I could see Jackie, I had a lump in my throat. It took everything not to start crying there and then, but I wanted to hold it together because I knew what an emotional day it would be.”

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Jackie, who is in a wheelchair and was unable to walk up the aisle because of her deteriorating condition, had daughters Sheriden, 22, Chantelle, 16, and eight-year-old Caitlin Collins, as well as Jim’s 16-year-old daughter, Kayleigh Malton, by her side as bridesmaids as she tied the knot.

Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.
Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.

Jim’s son, Kai Malton, 12, also took part in the wedding in his role as an usher.

“The day was completely perfect. Everyone couldn’t help but tear up. We went for traditional vows because we knew it was going to be an emotional day and we wanted to get through it,” continued Jim,

“It meant so much to us to be able to get married in front of all of our friends and family.

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“Ever since Jackie was a little girl she’s wanted to be able to have a big wedding, with the dress, nails and tiara.

Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.
Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.

“And the Eve Merton Dreams Trust have made that come true. I will never be able to thank them enough for what they’ve done for us.”

Both the service and the reception was held at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday.

The newly-weds retired to St John’s Hospice, where Jackie is currently receiving treatment, after the ceremony, while their friends and family celebrated with a reception and disco.

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Speaking about their wedding night, Jim said: “The girls at St John’s Hospice put rose petals on two beds and pushed them together for us.

Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.
Brain tumour victim, Jacqueline Collins, 42, got married to James Malton on January 31.

“We ate a McDonalds and cuddled, which was just perfect. To us, that was better than if we had been at The Ritz or anywhere, because we were together.”

Jim says they are looking forward to Jackie being able to come home soon - once her condition is stable and her pain medication has been prescribed - and to ‘make the most of every day’ of their life together.

The Eve Merton Dreams Trust is a Doncaster-based charity that raises money to help create a dream for a terminally or seriously ill cancer patient in the borough.

For more details visit www.evestrust.co.uk