At 6am on her wedding day, there was a knock on Lara Heaney's door. She leapt out of bed excitedly, ready to begin her hair and make-up for the big day.
Except it wasn't the knock she was expecting. Instead, it was her dad telling her that her mum had died from pancreatic cancer. Lara knew the news was coming at some point, but she'd hoped it would not be that day of all days.
Lara faced a huge decision as to whether to carry on with her day as planned. When she was told of her mum's final words, Lara knew that she would.
Aquarium worker Lara, 36, told Cornwall Live: “Mum came out for a drink for my hen do just two nights before the wedding and smiled through the pain. Her determination to live her life to the fullest to the very end, is something that will stay with us forever.
"The night before the wedding I went round to the accommodation where she was staying with my dad and the rest of our family. We laughed, smiled and I went home to get ready for my big day.
“On the morning, at 6am, on my wedding day, there was a knock at the door, I leapt out of bed ready for my hair and make-up... but it was my dad letting me know my mum had gone. As soon as I saw it was him at the door I knew what he was going to tell me.
"I knew she wasn't well and what was coming, but I didn't think it would be that day. With her last breath and my dad by her side she had told him the day must go on."
She continued: “I don’t know how we all kept it together, but through the love and support of my family, we made it and carried out mum’s wish that the wedding should carry on. The priest had made the announcement of mum’s death at the packed church of 200 guests before I arrived and I understand it was handled beautifully.
“Dad made a speech as planned at the reception and included mum’s death of course in the speech. The sun came out the second we left the church, which felt like we were really being looked down upon, I even got sunburnt.
“No one ever forgets our wedding anniversary now, myself and my husband Sean always have a cocktail and remember mum and whenever the sun comes out, I know mum is looking down. Since her death I mark our wedding anniversary and her death by going for a walk on the headland in Newquay. It gives me time to reflect and to remember her. I miss her every day.”
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Lara's mum, Ann, worked for the NHS at Leicester’s Glenfield Hospital, focusing on children’s health and heart surgery. She found out about her diagnosis following a trip back from Australia in March 2016 with her husband Andrew, having seen their daughter Sarah, son in law Luke and grandson Toby, who live in Brisbane.
“Mum thought she was just jet lagged, as she felt tired and had a pain in her back," Lara explained. "After a while she went to see her doctor who gave her blood tests and checked for any gall stone problems. But on March 10, which is my brother’s birthday, we found out that mum had been diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer, which had spread to her liver, and we were told it was not treatable.
“With a three-month prognosis we feel very blessed and privileged that she made it to the wedding day as she promised. Pancreatic cancer is such an aggressive cancer, with such easily-missed symptoms. My mum fought with everything she had to spend more time with us all and we miss her every day.”
Ann was 60 and, before she died, she got to enjoy a concert by her favourite band - Take That - in London- with Lara by her side and managed to enjoy days out with her husband, Andrew.
Now, Lara, from Newquay in Cornwall, is raising money for Cancer Research UK in honour of her mum by taking part in the 5k Pretty Muddy at Stithians Showground on May 20. The day will be one of making memories as Lara takes on the muddy obstacle course with her friends, remembering her mum who dedicated her life to working for the NHS.
Lara will be joined by her friends to remember her mum and also other loved ones lost to cancer. Her friend Lexi will be taking part with her, who was also at her wedding and the girls have decided to make it a day to remember.
She said she is feeling "really nervous" to take part but is looking forward to being able to honour her mum and raise money for such a worthy cause. "I'm not well-known for being into running or fitness but [Pretty Muddy] is something I've always wanted to do," Lara explained.
"I'm nervous but it feels amazing to be able to do it. Pancreatic cancer is such an aggressive cancer and even though it has a low survival rate, it doesn't receive as much publicity about it. So, I think it's important to raise awareness. People have been so generous so far and donated money to our team, which we are really grateful for."
To view Lara and Lexi's fundraising page, click here.
