Couple who are both battling cancer renew their wedding vows in dream ceremony after 53 years of marriage

Bob and Dot Flanagan, who are long-time supporters of Miles for Men, finally got their dream wedding on Saturday, February 15.

The couple renewed their vows at the AVenue Ballroom & Function Room in Hartlepool and Miles For Men worked with local companies to pull out all the stops.

Dot, 68, is currently fighting lung and lymph node cancer for the fourth time, and Bob, 73, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The couple, of Rift House, who have been married for almost 53 years, hoped to renew their vows on their 50th anniversary but sadly, Dot was too poorly.

Micky Day, founder of Miles For Men played a huge part in making sure it finally happened.

Bob was at Micky’s house at 10.30am and had a few beers and a bacon sandwich to calm his nerves. Meanwhile, Dot was getting her hair and makeup done at At Ladies Room and she told Micky “It’s a dream wedding.”

Turning up in a Bentley motor provided by Kinnie & Kinnie, she looked a vision in her white dress courtesy of AVenue who also supplies the venue, food and decor.

Micky said: “I’ve known Dot for a really long time now and today has been absolutely amazing and all of the companies who donated everything from the food, dress, makeup, cars, rings, flowers and Dot’s friend Pauline Hindhaugh who made the cake. Where do I stop? Everything has been fully donated for the full day and that’s amazing. It’s Hartlepool coming together again.”

Bob reminisced on their first wedding all those years ago on Church Street.

He said: “We didn’t have much money then so Dot didn’t have a white dress.

“The only thing I’m upset about now is the Bentley that brought us here. I said ‘do I get to keep it’ but they said I certainly couldn’t!”

Dot was over the moon to finally have the wedding dress of her dreams.

She said: “It’s been absolutely fabulous. Today has meant everything in the world to us. I’ve always always wanted to be married in white. We couldn’t thank Miles For Men enough for all they’ve done.

“We’ll get through it. I’ve got through four other cancers and I’ll get through this one – together.”

One of the couple’s ten grandchildren, Lisa Marriott, struggled to hold back the tears when she watched them renew their vows.

She said: “It’s been emotional and amazing. They’ve always wanted to do it and Miles For Men and the whole of Hartlepool have just pulled it out of the bag. You can’t even put into words what it actually means to them. It’s been amazing seeing them both smile again. We’re a big family and we’re all so close and today has shown it.”

After a ceremony with over 80 guests, Bob and Dot headed to the bandstand decorated by Artistic Solutions where they danced to Unchained Melody and shared another kiss.