A woman receiving palliative care at Ysbyty Gwynedd has thanked hospital staff for making her wedding dreams come true.

Maggie Heginbothom, 68, who has sadly received a terminal diagnosis of advanced liver cancer, described staff as being ‘like family’ after they organised a magical wedding ceremony for her and her partner of 15 years, Mark, in just two days.

Maggie, originally from the Vale of Glamorgan, was admitted to hospital almost three weeks ago after becoming unwell while riding one of her horses. Following a series of investigations and scans, she received the devastating news that she had advanced liver cancer.

When Mark proposed at Maggie’s bedside on Friday, 6 November, hospital staff wasted no time in putting plans in place for the wedding, which took place on Tegid Ward on Monday, 9 November.

Once the registrar had confirmed the ceremony could take place, staff on the ward had just the weekend to bring the celebrations together.

Using their staff social media group, colleagues coordinated everything from flowers and decorations to food, cakes and entertainment, with many giving up their own time to help.

Harpist Dylan Rowlands kindly volunteered to perform at the ceremony as a wedding gift, while Allisha from Dolluxe Hair Salon offered to style Maggie’s hair free of charge.

Aled Wyn Davies and the Hawkstone Choir also sent a special wedding video, while Hospital Chaplain Wynne Roberts surprised everyone by performing songs on his guitar.

There was even an extra-special surprise for horse lover Maggie, who has spent many years riding and competing with horses at Pen Llŷn Stud and Riding School, when her beloved horses Ozzy and Quiosque were brought to Ysbyty Gwynedd to visit her.

Tegid Ward Manager Rachel Parry said the whole team had been determined to give Maggie and Mark the most special wedding.

She said: “Once we knew the registrar was available, it was all systems go! We only had the weekend to organise everything, but everyone immediately got involved and wanted to do their bit.

“On the morning of the wedding, we transformed Maggie’s room with white sheets and fairy lights to create a beautiful space for the ceremony, while the relatives’ room became a reception area.

“Everything ran like clockwork, and some of our colleagues even came in on their days off to help make it happen.

“It was such a special and emotional occasion. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, and it was particularly lovely that some of the other patients Maggie has got to know during her time on the ward were able to join the celebrations.

“We were also incredibly touched by the generosity of people who offered their talents and services to make the day even more memorable.”

Maggie, a former Clinical Scientist with Public Health Wales, said she had been overwhelmed by the love and kindness shown to her by everyone involved.

She said: “I just cannot put into words how incredibly grateful I am to everyone who made this happen. It was so beautiful and I honestly never thought it was going to be possible, especially seeing both my horses there as well.

“The staff here are absolutely amazing. They work so incredibly hard and have surrounded me with so much love and kindness. They really are like family to me.

“From the beautiful decorations to all the little touches that made our wedding so special, I cannot thank them enough.

“I also want to say a very special thank you to hospital chaplain Wynne Roberts, who helped organise everything and made sure our wedding could take place. I am ever so grateful to him for everything he has done for Mark and me.

Matron Ceri Newell said the wedding was a wonderful example of the compassion and dedication shown by NHS staff.

She said: “Nursing is about so much more than treating illness. It is about compassion, kindness, humanity and recognising that sometimes the most important thing we can do is help make someone’s wishes come true.

“What the team achieved for Maggie and Mark in such a short space of time was truly remarkable, and I could not be prouder of every single person involved.

“Everyone went above and beyond, working together to create something incredibly special for a couple going through such a difficult time.

“Moments like these remind us why we do what we do, and I am so proud of what the team achieved.”