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17/05/2007 10:47 AM - (SA) Locals help to give dying bride her fairy tale day 17-05-2007
She knew she was dying. She was diagnosed with cancer in November last year and doctors gave the 29-year-old only 18 months to live. Nicky wasted no time. Her dream was to be married in South Africa near the sea, go shark cage diving and meet her home football team - Manchester United. But time and money were against her. Their initial enquiries into the costs of the dream wedding threw up an insurmountable wall - until a friend in Cape Town made contact with Pam Gray, a wedding planner in Somerset West (photo below), who was touched by Nicky's story and agreed to help to organise this special event. Pam downplays her involvement. Her praise is for local businesses who were equally moved to make the occasion happen by providing large discounts and in some cases even waiving their fees. The entire wedding for 14 people, including transfers between the airport, the city and the Helderberg in a Jaguar, guesthouse accommodation, the minister, food, photographer, venue hire, decor, wedding cake and flowers, came to just over R9 000. At normal rates it could easily have been five times as much, says Pam. Nicky and John Airey were married in an open-air ceremony on March 28 at a venue in Somerset West with views across False Bay. They were surrounded by friends and family, many of whom had flown out with them from the UK. Their stay was a short 10 days - the couple had scheduled a reception back home for people who could not attend the ceremony. But it was also physically difficult for Nicky, says Pam. "Her condition deteriorated very quickly. A day before the wedding, she had to spend a day in hospital and when they left, she did so in a wheelchair." Nicky did however get to do the shark cage diving. Back in the UK, she was taken to the reception on April 7 by ambulance. She died six days later. If she ever got to meet the lads of Manchester United, Pam doesn't know. There has been little news since the funeral. But Pam believes the people of the Helderberg provided for some happiness in what was the fleeting life of Nicky Walsh.
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