Hartlepool charity goes the extra mile by organising wedding renewal for couple both fighting cancer

The charity offered to help Bob and Dot Flanagan, who are long-time supporters of Miles for Men, and fixed up everything from the clothes, cars, venue and flowers in less than 24 hours.

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, will now renew their vows on what is set to be an unforgettable day, on Saturday, February 15.

Micky Day and Lee Wilmot of Miles for Men contacted local businesses and supporters to help make the ceremony happen and were delighted when they all said yes immediately.

Micky said: “I’ve known Bob and Dot for a lot of years and the pair of them are loved by the charity.

“I found out Bob had been asking Dot to renew their vows and said ‘let’s do it.’”

Lee added: “As soon as we made phone calls it was an instant yes. There was no hesitation from people.”

Dot underwent operations for lung and bowel cancer in 2017. In January 2018, she had lymph nodes with cancer removed and part of her lung removed the following month.

“Now I have got cancer back in the same lung and lymph nodes,” she said. “And Bob has prostate cancer.

“But you have got to stay positive and fight it and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Businesses and individuals that are providing help for their vows renewal are: Bev Williams of AVenue for the venue, suits and dress and food; Kinnie & Kinnie ( two Bentleys); Flower Lounge (flowers); Garthy’s World (invitations); Ultimate Disco (disco); Mark Lloyd jewellers (Bob’s wedding ring); Pauline Hindhaugh (cake); Mike Driver (photographs); At Ladies Room (hair and make up); and Artistic Solutions will decorate the marina bandstand.

Miles for Men are also paying for the couple to have a second honeymoon in Blackpool.

Lee added: “With all that they are going through we think they deserve it.”

Dot said: “It’s marvellous how it has all come together so quickly. When they do something they go out all the way to do it.”

Bob added: “We couldn’t ask for a nicer thing.”

Bob and Dot, who have daughter Ann Marriott, son Robert, ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, have close links to Miles for Men.

The charity helped raise money for a life-changing spine operation for their great-granddaughter Dottie O’Keefe.

And it helped arrange the wedding of Dot’s nephew Tommy Fletcher before he lost his fight against cancer last year.

The couple also completed last year’s Miles for Men course at Seaton Carew with Bob pushing Dot in a wheelchair.