Dying mum ‘overwhelmed’ by offers from well-wishers (From This Is Lancashire)

Dying mum ‘overwhelmed’ by offers from well-wishers

9:29am Thursday 21st February 2013 in News

A BRAVE mum who has been given just 18 months to live has been “overwhelmed” by the offers of support in helping her plan her dream wedding.

Ashlee Meecham received 500 emails after her tragic story appeared in The Bolton News.

The 29-year-old’s dying wish was to marry her boyfriend, Neil Disley — and last weekend he proposed in Paris.

And since her story appeared, Ashlee has been inundated with offers of help, including white doves to be released at the ceremony, wedding rings, a bouquet, photography, and hair and make-up services.

Singer Carolynne Poole, who was a finalist in last year’s X Factor competition, will sing at Ashlee’s wedding reception in May after reading about her plight on Twitter.

Many people came forward to help after reading last week’s article on theboltonnews.co.uk, including on a Facebook group for wedding fairs organised by Newsquest North West, which includes The Bolton News.

Ashlee even received offers of donations from soldiers in Afghanistan and a card from a well-wisher in Dubai.

Ashlee, of Hereford Crescent, Little Lever, said: “I’m overwhelmed by all the support. I have been blown away and my heart is bursting with gratitude. I can’t believe the reaction I’ve had. I have almost got everything I need now. I want to thank every single person for all the offers, messages, thoughts and prayers.”

Ashlee and Neil, along with their three-year-old daughter Miley, spent a long weekend in Paris, where Neil, aged 29, proposed during a cruise on the River Seine.

Ashlee will start taking chemotherapy tablets next week, but doctors have told her she has just 18 months to live. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in April, 2010, six months after giving birth to Miley, and doctors found it had spread to her bones and organs last month.

l A festival will be held in Bolton on Monday, April 1, to raise money for Ashlee and Derian House children’s hospice.

Musicians can contact Steve Hoyle on 07515 509032 or stephenhoyle@ntlworld.com.