A SKIPTON couple, whose plans to get married were thrown into chaos after the groom's shocking cancer diagnosis, will now get the wedding they always dreamed of thanks to some incredible acts of kindness.

Simon Dixon and Mel Reid, who live at Highfield Terrace on the Greatwood estate, met nine years ago and had been planning to get married on October 27.

But approximately ten weeks ago, Simon, 50, was diagnosed with terminal oesophageal cancer. The disease spread to his liver and lymph nodes and doctors have given him a few months to live.

Simon, Mel, 40, and Mel's daughter Chloe Bateman, also of Skipton, were all devastated to hear the news.

"We got hit with a bombshell," said Mel. "We've literally gone in auto-drive, and no-one knows what to do or say."

"It's come as a complete shock," added Chloe. "We had everything in place for the wedding in October, so we've had to change all our plans and bring everything forward."

The original wedding date at the Registry Office was cancelled and moved forward to Friday, August 11.

Chloe, a student nurse at Airedale Hospital, contacted the Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton with a desperate plea for help.

She wrote: "I am appealing to you that due to the change of the wedding date and the urgency of needing to get married, especially because we are not sure how Simon will be in the next few months, we are now left without a venue or food.

"My poor mum and Simon have lost money on rearranging the wedding, and it breaks my heart that they will not get the wedding they deserve."

However, thanks to some incredible acts of kindness by the Rendezvous and its staff, as well as a number of local people and businesses, Simon and Mel will get the wedding they have always dreamed of.

"We're happy to donate our hotel as the venue," said Malcolm Weaving, owner of the Rendezvous Hotel. "It's quite a tragic thing because they really want to get married."

And Lindsay Mueller, senior manager and wedding and events co-ordinator at the Rendezvous, has taken it upon herself to help organise the wedding for Simon and Mel.

She has contacted a list of suppliers to sort out many of the details to help make the couple's wedding day special.

Lindsay said: "We're more than happy to host it and we want to say thank you to all of the suppliers for the fantastic support. We've been overwhelmed with the response and offers to help."

"Lindsay's done absolutely everything she can to help," said Chloe "It just goes to show the kindness that people can offer. I just can't put into words how much this means to my family."

In addition to Rendezvous providing the wedding venue, the following people and businesses have to offered to help: Photographer - Malcolm Stoney of 1979 Photography; flowers - Alison Younger; reception and toast drinks - Julian of Wright Wines, Skipton; bride's nails - Elizabeth Ireland of Naily Normal, Skipton; hair and beauty - Leanne, Channel and Gemma at Ultraviolet, Skipton; make-up - CJ Beauty; cake - Stephanie Segula; wedding meal - Rendezvous Hotel and their suppliers; supper - Digby of Craven Bakery, Skipton; cars to and from the registry office - Albion Pub, Skipton, Charles and Susannah Calvert and Rendezvous Hotel; DJ - Liam Farrow; lantern and flower table centres - Keelham Farm Shop, Skipton; chair covers and sashes - Sitting Pretty Chair Covers; Light up Love Letters - Photo Booths and Event Equipment Hire Yorkshire; and sweetie cart - Jolly Sweet.