Dying boy, 8, marries his playground sweetheart in last wish

Tag : Shirt Dress



An eight-year-old boy who had battled cancer for half of his life'married' his school sweetheart - before telling his mother 'I cango now' and dying just hours later.

Reece Fleming refused to give in to leukaemia until he hadfulfilled his wish of a mock wedding to his special friend ElleanorPursglove.

The two children, who had been friends for years, had taken part inan emotional ceremony in Reece's front room in which he handed his'bride' a red rose.
The young couple: Elleanor Pursglove in her wedding dress, withReeceFleming in his favourite shirt. Reece died the next day.

The wedding was the last on a list of ambitions Reece had vowed torealise before his death - including a rides in a Ferrari and aPorsche, spending a day at a fire station and holding apirate-themed party for friends.
His wish-list echoed the plot of the recent Hollywood blockbusterThe Bucket List, in which Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman playterminally ill patients who fulfill a series of dreams before theydie.
Reece's mother told how he had fallen ill in July 2004, beforeundertaking gruelling sessions of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

After he was given just weeks to live, brave Reece popped thequestion one more time - and Elleanor accepted.
On the list: Reece's dream of riding a Ferrari was granted

Lorraine, 28, said: "When we found out that we only had a few weekswith him we tried to do absolutely everything with him that wecould.
"He and Elleanor had been good friends for years, and he alwayssaid he wanted to marry her. It was something he had his heart seton.
"He had asked her a few times, and she finally decided to accept.Their relationship was very strong."
Originally the sweethearts had planned to have a vicar present toguide them through their vows, with Elleanor, also aged eight,arriving by limousine.
Lorraine Fleming holds a treasured picture of Reece's big day

But Reece's condition quickly started to deteriorate and, dressedin his favourite Next shirt, the groom waited patiently at hishome, while Elleanor was whisked to his front room for a simpleceremony.

Lorraine, of Mackworth, Derby, said: "I'm sure Reece knew he didn'thave long, but he was determined to go ahead with the 'marriage'.
"He said to me: 'Mum, I'm not ready to go yet.' That was how muchit meant to him. I knew there and then he really wanted it tohappen."
Elleanor donned a wedding dress for the occasion and Reecepresented her with a single red rose.
Jack Nicholson plays a cancer sufferer in The Bucket List, whowants to fulfill his wildest dreams before he dies

Lorraine said: "I had managed to hold myself together quite well,but when I saw her coming up the path with her bouquet I had toshed a little tear.
"You can't really describe in words what it was like. Reece andElleanor were both very quiet, but there was a lot of feeling inthe room."
With Elleanor's mother Hannah playing the role of vicar, theyoungsters exchanged vows and rings and were even given a marriagecertificate.
But "ladies' man" Reece turned gentleman and chose not to kiss thebride - despite earning a reputation as a flirt during his time inhospital.
Lorraine said: "He had a real crush on one of the nurses and wasalways a bit touchy-feely with her if the chance presented itself.
"In the end she had to tell him she was already engaged - but hewas fine with that, because it cleared the way for him to 'marry'Elleanor.
"He was always a real gent and very respectful to Elleanor. He wasvery restless before the ceremony, but afterwards he was so happy.
"He just lay on the bed, looking like the 'wedding' was what he hadbeen waiting for. He was completely at peace. He said: 'Mum, I cango now.'"
Reece died the following day.
Stepfather Mick Thompson, 28, said: "He made a big impact on a lotof people. He was a ladies' man with a big personality - everyoneknew when he was in the room."

Elleanor's mother Hannah said: "Elleanor is missing him a lot now.They were both really pleased with the ceremony. It was veryspecial - he just kept smiling at her."