By Ben Barry
A terminally ill woman and her husband have renewed their marriage vows after 42 years in a touching “bucket list” ceremony.
Julie Curran, from Tunbridge Wells, said she wanted a gathering with friends and family after being told she had a brain tumour in July last year.
But the 62-year-old warned she didn’t want it to be a “morbid affair”.
Sensing an opportunity, Julie and 66-year-old husband Pete’s daughter Jemma Maddock struck upon the idea of a surprise vow renewal.
The happy couple retied the knot earlier this month in front of 170 family and friends – some of whom they had not seen for decades.
Customer services assistant Jemma, 38, even arranged for a gospel choir and band to perform – which were also both on her mum’s list.
She said: “One of Mum’s bucket list items was to have a gathering of friends and family but not wanting it to be a morbid affair.
“We chose to turn it into a vow renewal and surprised them with it on Christmas Day – Dad just burst into tears.
“We had the London Community Gospel Choir play at the church, which was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen and we hired a steel kettledrum band. Both of which were also on Mum’s bucket list.
“Then we moved to a private hall where there was a balloon maker, magician and DJ, and had a massive party.
“We’re really lucky to have so many people love my parents.
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the church. They’ve been together for 50 years, since my mum was 13, and in his speech Dad said ‘I wish I’d known you longer’.”
Julie, who has epilepsy, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in July after suffering two seizures in two weeks.
She has since had debulking surgery – to remove as much of the tumour as possible – and radiotherapy and is now undergoing chemotherapy.
Jemma said: “Mum’s been nothing but optimistic all the way through treatment. Not once has she said ‘I can’t do it’ or want to give up.
“But it’s heart-breaking watching how tired she gets because she was always running around before. I’m just so proud of her for coping with everything so well.”
Following her mum’s diagnosis, Jemma began supporting Brain Tumour Research and she is now preparing to run the Brighton Half Marathon on Sunday, February 25, in aid of the charity.
She will be running with her friends Laura Hunt and Danielle Cumberworth and father-in-law, Matthew Hibbert, who have called themselves Juju’s Army after a nickname her dad bestows on Julie.
“I’m a fixer and I can’t fix what’s happening to Mum, so I feel the half-marathon is the best thing I can do to help,” she said.
“It’s not going to cure her but maybe one day it’ll help cure someone else and save them from this horrible situation.
“I’m up to seven miles at the moment and it’s taking me just under an hour.
“I’m no athlete but I think on the day a little bit of adrenaline’s going to kick in because I’m doing it for Mum and for the future, to help find a cure for this dreadful cancer.
“Hopefully, if Mum’s well enough, she’ll come and sit and watch me run. She’s determined to try and come if she’s able.”
Click here to donate to Jemma’s GoFundMe page.
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “With one in three people knowing someone affected by a brain tumour, Julie’s story, whilst sad, is not unique.
“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.
“We’re determined to change this but we can’t do it alone.
“We’re really grateful to Jemma for taking on this challenge for us and wish her the best of luck on race day. Together we will find a cure.”
