Community rallies to give young mum a '˜perfect' wedding day

Stacey Willmot, from Partridge Green, was diagnosed with advanced melanoma in December and now relies on full-time care from her fiancé and mother.

The 28-year-old has two children aged two and six months and was diagnosed as terminally ill shortly after giving birth to her second child.

Her mother Tina told the County Times a decision had recently been made to stop Stacey’s treatment.

In response the family quickly rallied and along with help from the local community were able to put on a big white wedding on Saturday, May 7, for her and fiancé Stephen Willmot.

The day was organised in just under two weeks with dozens of friends, family and local businesses coming together to give the young family the ‘perfect’ day.

White Mischief in Henfield helped to find and provide the dresses while Kate Scott of the Brighton Flower Company provided flowers for the bride and bridesmaids and helped to deliver the bride’s bouquet made by Chey Massingham.

The Secret Haven, in Cranleigh, provided the beauty treatments for the bride and a vintage Rolls Royce was also lent to Stacey, taking her to and from the ceremony at St Peter’s Church in Slinfold, while Stephen arrived on a friend’s motorbike.

His aunt the Rev Sandra Hall took the service before they were met by friends outside the church who threw confetti to celebrate the newlyweds’ special day.

Sandra said: “It was emotional but everyone was so strong.

“The place was full of love and that’s as much as you can ask for really.”

The pair then popped along to the Red Lyon pub in the village for the reception where they enjoyed Prosecco and an amazing spread of vegan and non vegan buffets.

Stacey’s friend Sharon Walker, of Sharon’s cakes in Southwater, was in charge of providing the wedding cake.

Sharon said: “Stacey looked absolutely beautiful, she looked stunning.

“She came out of the church with a look of determination on her face.

“For something that was put together in not even two weeks it was perfect.”

Tina said she wanted to thank everyone who had helped and given up their time on the day.

Since the diagnosis both Tina and Stephen have had to give up their jobs to take care of Stacey and the children.

An online fundraising page has been set up to raise money to help the family.

The total is currently standing at more than £8,000. To support the family visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/tina-montague-1

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