9:30am Thursday 29th July 2010
By Rhianne Pope
IT is every mother’s dream to see her son get married, but for one Oxford mum it meant that little bit extra.
Janet Hambridge, 60, of Ashmole Place, in Blackbird Leys, was diagnosed with lung cancer 18 months ago.
When her son Trevor Francis, 31, announced his engagement to girlfriend Naomi McCollin, the grandmother-of-five never thought she would be there to celebrate with them.
Attached to an oxygen tank 24 hours a day and needing specially controlled drugs, there was no way she could attend a wedding reception.
So the family decided to bring the party to her.
She said: “I never thought I would live to see him settle down, so it was my one wish to see him get married before I went.”
Her daughter, Nicola Rowland, 33, said: “Mum now lives with me because she needs round the clock care.
“She needs to be close to the medicine and lots of places won’t insure people who are that ill.
“So after the wedding at Oxford Registry Office on Tuesday, I agreed to hold the reception party at my house.”
Dozens of guests packed into a marquee in the garden at Ashmole Place to share the day with Ms Hambridge.
She said she cried with tears of happiness throughout the day.
“I’ve been tearful, very tearful. This will be the making of Trevor.”
Ms Hambridge celebrated with her children Mark Heeley, Chrissy Heeley, Nicola Rowland, and Mr Francis and his new bride.
She also has five grandchildren Daniel, Brandon, Caitlin, Aaliagh and George.
Mrs Rowland put on a barbecue with the help of neighbours and friends.
She said: “Everyone has been chipping in with food and decorations.”
The proud groom said his big day was made even more special by having his mum there to share it with him.
He said: “She’s stuck with me through a lot and has always been there for me, so now I’m here for her.”
Ms Hambridge’s health has been deteriorating over the last few months and she has been hospitalised four times in the four weeks.
She has already planned her funeral with the family.
Mrs Rowland said: “We just wanted her to have one happy memory, just one happy day.”
“It’s such a big day for my mum.
“It means everything to her to see Trevor settle down.”
Ms Hambridge’s sister Pauline O’Driscoll, 61, was also there and said they made her sister’s dream come true.
She said: “Back in April, Janet was really ill and we didn’t think she would live to see today.
“But now she keeps saying ‘I’ve made it’. It was her last wish.”
rpope@oxfordmail.co.uk
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