A FORMER nurse with terminal bladder cancer has been able to say ‘I do’ again to her ex-partner after her hospital colleagues went above and beyond.

Maggie Hargraves, 73, was diagnosed with terminal bladder cancer last year and is receiving end of life care at Colchester Hospital.

Her ex-husband Dave Hargraves came to stay in November to help look after her and has stayed ever since.

The couple decided they wanted to re-marry and say their vows for a second time.

The pair spoke with lead chaplain for the hospital Allison Cline-Dean who was supporting Maggie before an operation.

Within a matter of days the chaplaincy team had put all the necessary preparations in place so the couple could re-marry.

After the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office approved the special licence required for the wedding to proceed, the couple said their vows on Thursday in the hospital chapel.

The Rev Celia Cook conducted the service along with witnesses, Allison Cline-Dean and Keith Ponsford, also from the hospital’s chaplaincy team.

Gazette: Maggie and Dave Hargraves

The Rev Cook said: “It was an absolute honour to marry Maggie and Dave.

“Their love and affection for each other shone through and it’s a service I will never forget.”

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Maggie worked at Colchester Hospital for 15 years as a critical care nurse and was part of the team that helped relocate the service from the former Essex County Hospital to the main site where it is located today.

Dave, a retired firefighter who has also worked for the ambulance service, thanked the team for their help.

He said: “We can’t thank you enough for making this happen. It’s truly remarkable.

“The chaplaincy team thought of everything. We even had prosecco and cake in the Time Garden.”

Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity helped by contributing £487 for the marriage licence.