A BRIDE-to-be had to miss her wedding and dream honeymoon because of a terminal cancer diagnosis in the midst of the Covid pandemic.

Naomi Roberts, 40, and her partner of ten years, Georgina Fisher, 43, hoped to celebrate their wedding last April before jetting off on their honeymoon to the beaches of Mexico.

However, as well as Covid sweeping the globe, around this time Naomi was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer.

She says she would have struggled to come to terms with the diagnosis without the support of St Helena Hospice and is now hoping to inspire others to support the charity which has been her rock.

Naomi said: “I was very shocked and I guess I still am. That’s where the counselling from St Helena Hospice comes in.

“Before, when they said about going into the hospice, I was reluctant because my thoughts were I would go in and never come out again.

“That was my view of the hospice, that it’s basically for people to go to die.

“And I understand that is part of it, they do have people there who are in their last days and need extra support and care that only the Hospice can provide.

“I was absolutely apprehensive about going in but when I was in there, the atmosphere is different to what you’d expect.

“The staff are amazing and they are what makes the hospice what it is.”

Gazette:

Since her diagnosis, Naomi has spent two fortnight stints at the hospice learning to manage her pain and control her symptoms and now back home, she is receiving support from the charity’s Hospice in the Home, SinglePoint and counselling services.

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The couple were finally able to marry in February, but sadly won’t be making their dream honeymoon.

Instead St Helena Hospice has organised a challenge in Naomi’s honour - Miles of Hope.

It is asking supporters to collectively run, cycle or walk the 5,321 mile distance from the Highwoods hospice to Ciudad del Carmen in Mexico throughout April, raising funds along the way.

Naomi said: “We got married now because of time and we want to make sure that we had the opportunity to do it while I’m feeling well.

“If people could support St Helena Hospice by getting us all virtually to Mexico, my dream destination, and raise money with their walking, running and cycling, it would just be really great, thank you.”

Participants are being asked to raise at least £50 in sponsorship.

Register to take part at sthelena.org.uk/milesofhope.