A pair of newlyweds will be kicking off married life by running up St George’s Tower for LOROS Hospice, dressed in their wedding outfits.
Susannah Backhouse and her husband-to-be Gavin Hatton will be taking part in the charity’s Tower Run, after her dad, David, died at the Hospice in January.
The couple get married on Saturday 2nd March, just one week before the event, which takes place on Saturday 9th March.
“We were sat in dad’s side room at LOROS and saw the leaflet for the Tower Run,” said 30-year-old mother-of-one Susannah, of Quorn.
“We thought it would be funny and agreed to give it a go, then my husband suggested we do it in our wedding gear as it’s just a week after we get married and I thought OK, why not.
“Dad had a chuckle to himself too, which makes it mean even more to us.”
Susannah, who will be wearing her wedding gown, will be joined by Gavin in his suit and mum, Erica, who will be wearing her mother-of-the-bride dress.
Her older sister Naomi Hill and twin sister, Charlotte Coley, who will both be in their bridesmaid dresses, will join them, as well as her brother-in-law, Matt.
“It will be a day full of emotion but I’m sure dad will be up there laughing at us as we do it,” added Susannah.
“We really want to do this, as our way of giving back to LOROS.”
Granddad-of-four David, 59, died at the Hospice, on 5th January, following his battle with neck cancer.
“They were absolutely amazing at LOROS, we couldn’t have asked for more,” she said.
“When I needed a cry, I was able to and the nurses were always there for me, to make sure I was OK.”
Since David died, Susannah has been receiving counselling from the Hospice, which she says has really helped her.
“When dad died, I didn’t want to be with anyone, not even my daughter,” added Susannah.
“The counselling team has helped me cope with what has happened.
“I honestly don’t know where I would be today without their help.”
Susannah, Gavin and their family are so grateful for the support given by the Hospice, they are also giving their wedding guests the chance to win £1,000 by having LOROS scratch cards as favours, while having collection tins dotted round the venue.
Susannah said: “Having scratch cards and collection tins at our wedding will be a lovely way to include dad on our big day.”
Registration for the Tower Run is still open. To sign up, visit loros.co.uk/tower
