A winter wedding ball is being organised to raise cash for St Elizabeth Hospice – in memory of Ipswich man Andy Wise who died four years ago today.
His wife Christine and their two children Oliver, 11, and Grace, eight, have been tirelessly fundraising for the hospice ever since – raising almost £45,000 for the Suffolk charity.
Now the family have revealed plans to attend a charity wedding ball at Hintlesham Hall organised in his honour – and Mrs Wise even plans to wear the same dress she wore on their wedding day in 2003.
She said the hospice were a huge support to the family, allowing them to create happy memories even in the most difficult of times.
“It was four years on Monday (today) that he passed away,” said Mrs Wise.
“He spent nine weeks in the hospice prior to that.
“Our children have very fond memories of the hospice, they were able to make the most with Andy.
“They have memories of DVD and movie nights.
“We used to bring takeaways and they said we could eat it with him.
She added: “One day one of the nurses even gave a Viennetta to share.
“It meant I didn’t have to play nurse any more and we could enjoy our time with Andy.
“The perception of the hospice is that you go there to die but it is not like that at all, it is about having fun with the ones you love and making memories.
“Through the worst time in our lives they made it so much better and easier.
“I don’t know what we would have done without them.”
The winter wedding ball, on Friday, October 12, is being organised by her friend Sharon Topple, a wedding planner with STE Weddings.
The event will include a host of entertainment, with a three course meal, casino tables, a photo booth, a raffle and a silent auction – and top prizes including tickets to the Monaco Grand Prix.
“It will be an amazing night,” said Mrs Wise.
“People can even chose to wear their wedding dress if they wish and I plan to wear my original wedding dress that I married Andy in, back in 2003.”
Tickets are £45 per person or £40 per person if you book a table.
You can pay a £10 deposit to secure your seat.
For more information and to book tickets to the event, visit the dedicated Facebook page or call Sharon Topple on 07951931349.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here