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Tragic Sittingbourne mum Aimee Willett gets married to partner Michael Bond

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when dying Sittingbourne mum Aimee Willett married her partner at a private ceremony.

Family and close friends cried tears of sadness and joy as they witnessed the 26-year-old say "I do" to fiancé Michael Bond at Westenhanger Castle in Hythe on Saturday.

Sons Charlie, eight, and Kaleb, four, who were page boys, gave each of them a wedding band which they then exchanged with one another.

Aimee Willett, who has terminal cancer, with sons Kaleb and Charlie
Aimee Willett, who has terminal cancer, with sons Kaleb and Charlie

Castle director Sarah Poole offered the venue to the couple who live in Charlotte Street, Sittingbourne, after she read Aimee’s story which was highlighted by KentOnline and the Sittingbourne News Extra.

The former Sittingbourne Community College student was just 25 years old when she was diagnosed with cancer following her first smear test in December 2013.

She underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy following the diagnosis, but in June last year doctors found another tumour - and this time it was inoperable.

"It was perfect. She got her dream and she looked stunning..." - Sarah Poole

While she was told before Christmas she would be able to enjoy the festivities, the longer-term prognosis is less clear.

It prompted her to speak out about how she would like to see the age for smear tests lowered, so cancers are caught as early as possible.

She also vowed to create as many happy memories with her children in the time she had left and drew up a bucket list, which included marrying Mr Bond, 26, seeing the Eiffel Tower light show and taking her family to Disneyland Paris.

Her story inspired such feeling that readers flooded a fundraising page with donations, which soon added up to more than £30,000.

Individuals and businesses also came forward to offer their services free of charge to help make her wedding dream come true.

Mrs Poole, who was among the guests at the service, said: “It was perfect. She got her dream and she looked stunning. So did Michael.

Aimee Willett has written a bucket list - including marrying her partner
Aimee Willett has written a bucket list - including marrying her partner

"There were so many boys I couldn’t work out who were ushers and who was the best man as they were all wearing the same suits.

“She thoroughly enjoyed it and there were quite a few tears. Everyone was happy and sad at the same time.

“They stayed at the castle overnight and Aimee said she didn’t want to get up because the bed was so comfortable.

“I’m proud to have been a part of it.”

Photographer Sabrina Stockwell captured the day.

She said: “Cancer is very close to my heart, I had breast cancer in 2009, and I wanted to be able to help however I could."


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