Milton Keynes mum of two young children receives nightmare terminal cancer diagnosis out of the blue during lockdown

Until three weeks ago, Yvonne Brennan was like any other young mum, rushing around and looking after her two children and her partner while juggling a full-time job.

But tragedy struck when she got the results of a scan at MK Hospital following several months of niggling tummy problems.

"I knew it would be bad news as soon as the consultant said I could break lockdown rules and go into the room with Yvonne to get the results," said Ricky, who has been her partner for the past 12 years.

But nothing could have prepared the pair for the diagnosis - inoperable Stage 1V cancer of the stomach lining that has spread to the lymph nodes and abdomen.

Doctors have given Yvonne a life expectancy of up to six months without treatment, but say chemotherapy could possibly add an extra three to six months.

"Obviously I opted for the chemo. I had my first session yesterday. I will do absolutely anything to gain more time with my daughters," said Yvonne, who is just 40.

Daisy-May is six and Maddison-Rose is 10. Both know their mummy has cancer but Yvonne and Ricky have not yet told them the full devastating facts.

"We'll do it in stages. I want to be as positive as possible and give them as many beautiful memories as possible. But all I keep thinking is that I'll never see them grow up," sobbed Yvonne.

Her dream, for years, has been for her girls to be bridesmaids when she and Ricky finally got married.

"We've been engaged for 10 years. Each year we kept saying we'd get married next year, but there was always something that cropped up. Money was tight and we just never got round to it," she said.

But, now the grim race against time has begun, the couple want nothing more than to experience their dream wedding day.

Yvonne's other dream is to take Daisy-May and Maddison-Rose to Disneyland Paris and see their faces as they experience the Disney Magic.

Her friends in MK, knowing her wishes, launched a GoFundMe page two days ago. Incredibly it has raised more than £13,000 already in donations.

One friend contacted Michelle Louise from Hulio Events company in Stony Stratford, who promptly and offered her services as wedding planner.

Within just 24 hours, Michelle had reached out to all her contacts and organised a stunning venue for more than 200 guests, a dress, a car, flowers, cake, wedding make up artist and a DJ - all local companies and all offering their services for free.

All of them are poised to leap into action the minute lockdown ends

The venue is Flaxbourne Gardens in Aspley Guise, and a luxury car from Chauffeur Lux Services will ferry Yvonne and the girls there. Her dress will be provided by Verona Couture in Olney, the flowers from The Flower Company Milton Keynes , and Totally Glowingwill perform a makeover to make the bride glow.

Guests will tuck into wedding cake made by Oh My Cakery in Linford Wood and then DJ Roger Gregson from MK Parties will host the party of a lifetime in the evening.

The day will be captured in photographs by Lightdraw Photography

"We're just overwhelmed," said Yvonne and Ricky, who live on Brooklands. "We don't know how to thank people enough. We didn't expect any of this and we just can't believe how much generosity, love and support people are showing us."

You can view the fundraising page herehttps://www.gofundme.com/f/YOUNG-MUM-HAS-6MTHS-TO-LIVE?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

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