Kind Glaswegians donating a wedding to a terminally ill dad are desperately pleading for support to help 'make their dream possible'.
Glasgow Live reported that Peter Pender was told in April his bladder cancer was terminal. Now on borrowed time, the 53-year-old is determined to marry his sweetheart of 22 years Diane Sutherland, 43, on July 15.
Droves of Greater Glasgow businesses have kindly donated their services to make their big day as special as possible. But those organising the bash are 'quite a bit away from' raising what they need and are desperately pleading for more donations.
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Charity Wedding Wish Makers, released a statement on social media.
It read: "Thanks to everyone who has donated, offered their support and who is providing their goods and services and giving up their free time to help make this dream wedding possible for Peter and Dianne. We are still quite a bit away from our goal for donations to help pay for things, so we are giving it another push to try make this possible.
"If you can help even if it’s just £1 it all adds up helps make this wedding possible, we really appreciate your continued support."
Peter, from Pollok, was diagnosed with bladder cancer on September 9, 2016 after noticing blood in his urine which led to blood clots in his penis. Medics then discovered a tumour in his bladder.
The dad-of-three's bladder, prostate and lymph nodes were removed soon after, which got rid of the tumour and any cancerous cells surrounding it.
After the op, Peter was put on a clinical trial at the Beatson Centre in a bid to help other sufferers. But in a devastating turn of events, a CT scan to mark the end of the trial in March this year showed his cancer had returned.
A further PET scan in April revealed it was terminal.
Holding back the tears, Peter told Glasgow Live : "I never ever wanted to get married. Now that I don't know how long I have left, I want to make Diane happy. Life is for living and we wanted to make it official."
Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church in Paisley is providing their venue free of charge for the pair and their 100 guests. And a number of generous Glasgow business owners have jumped on the bandwagon, donating everything from entertainment and food, to kilt hire and make-up.
In a race against time, charity Wedding Wish Makers, stepped in to spread the word and pull together suppliers to ensure the day runs like clockwork.
"I cannot express how grateful I am to everyone who is chipping in to help us," Peter added.
"So many kind people are coming out the woodwork. I'll never get over the generosity."
Peter first locked eyes with Diane at Hotshots Bowling Alley, now Hollywood Bowl, at Springfield Quay, in 2000.
"It wasn't quite love at first sight but I thought she was a nice looking lassie, I liked her," Peter said.
"I offered her my seat and then she ordered us all shots. We started dating and have been together ever since."
The pair share three children; Henry, 18, James, 16, and Mackenzie, 14, who will all be there on July 15 to mark the special occasion. Before cancer 'takes him down big style' Peter hopes getting hitched and speaking out will stop other Glaswegians falling victim to a similar heartbreaking fate.
"Often bladder cancer can't be cured," Peter said. "I want to speak out while I have time left to raise awareness.
"I don't want this to happen to other people, if they can stop it. For now, I am just so buzzing for the wedding. It will be an amazing day with all my friends and family."
To donate to Peter and Diane's wedding visit the official GoFundMe page.
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