A couple from Ashford have got engaged and married in hospital, just days after the groom was admitted.

Christopher Mason, 57, and Barbra Andrews, 51, have been together for four years since meeting at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford where they both work.

Barbra is a medical records clerk and Christopher was employed as an ancillary driver.

The couple got engaged and married within a week at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London after Christopher was admitted with breathing problems.

Barbra said: "Christopher came into Royal Brompton for breathing checks on the previous Monday. The doctors saw how sick he was and admitted him immediately.

“On the Wednesday, he wasn’t responding. The medical staff couldn’t be sure of how long he had left.”

Thankfully, Christopher improved and the couple met with palliative care nurses to discuss his care plan.

She continued: “As we were chatting, somebody said something about getting married. Then Christopher started dropping hints, so I popped the question and he said yes!”

Christopher, who is receiving palliative care for idiopathic interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, added: “It’s true, I did cajole Barbra into asking me. I am on a timeline with few options left, and it’s something we both wanted.”

The couple only knew for sure they had secured permission to wed from the local authority days before the ceremony which was the first wedding at the hospital's Victoria Ward.

Staff from the hospital and volunteers sprang into action and, along with Barbra, help from a Kensington florist, a professional photographer and the local registrar, organised a beautiful celebration within days.

“We knew it was going to be emotional, but the reality was off the scale." - Barbra

Ward sister Tasmin Fernandes said: “Carnell Aguirre the deputy charge nurse working on nights used his hidden talents to transform the ward’s multi-faith room into a beautiful dream-like wedding atmosphere.”

Smiling staff wished the couple well as Barbra walked up the ‘aisle’ – Victoria ward’s main corridor.

Kensington Flowers Florist donated flowers to decorate the room while another deputy sister, Hosanna Rabano provided other materials for the decorations.

A professional photographer donated her services for free.

Staff on Victoria ward got the groom ready and decorated the bridal ‘suite’.

After the registrar from Chelsea Town hall legally wed the couple, Royal Brompton’s chaplain Mairi Lovett blessed the wedding, while a violinist, courtesy of the Trust’s arts team, serenaded the party with a medley of ABBA favourites.

Tasmin added: “The wedding on the ward has made a great difference to everyone involved: patients, relatives and all the staff who witnessed this blessed occasion.”

Barbra said: “The hospital made it so special. Staff pulled out all of the stops, I was so touched and grateful: it was an amazing day.

“To see Christopher waiting for me at the altar blew me away. I think that’s when it hit us.

“We knew it was going to be emotional, but the reality was off the scale. Royal Brompton really is a hospital that cares.”

She continued: “Christopher is so charming, with such a great sense of humour. Even through all of his health problems, he still finds something to laugh about.”

Christopher added: “There’s no doubt Royal Brompton saved my life in the interim. The staff were amazing, supportive and excited for us. I’d like to thank them all.”

As for the future, the couple are both aware of the seriousness of Christopher’s condition but still have hope.

Barbra added: “We do still have some hope that Christopher’s health could improve and he could have a lung transplant.

“We hold on to that. It’s like some light at the end of the tunnel.”