Shropshire Star Dream Wedding competition extended

The Shropshire Star had a massive response to its 'win a dream wedding' competition last month.

Six finalists were chosen from the entries and we invited readers to vote either online, by e-mail or writing in. Unfortunately we have been made aware of discrepancies in the online voting and have had to extend the voting time.

Now we will only accept entries e-mailed or written. Entries already submitted in that way are still valid but anyone who voted online will have to re-submit the entry. Entries can be made to swalters@shropshirestar. co.uk or sent to Sharon Walters, Supplements Editor, Shropshire Star, Waterloo Road, Ketley, Telford, Shropshire. TF1 5HU.

Run in conjunction with the Telford Hotel & Golf Resort, the competition invited couples to tell us their heart-warming stories, and explain why they deserved to be chosen.

The closing date for nominations is October 14, 2011.

The 'Win a Wedding' prize at the Telford Hotel & Golf Resort includes a Bucks Fizz arrival drink, 3-course wedding breakfast for 40 guests, a glass of wine with meal and sparkling wine toast per guest, evening finger buffet for 60 guests, disco, 2-tier white cake with cake stand and knife, top table floral decoration, red carpet, white linen, room hire, overnight accommodation for the Bride & Groom, 3 month leisure membership for the bride and groom and a complimentary anniversary meal on 1st wedding anniversary

THE FINALISTS

Anne Lee and Andy Sharp

Mrs Dianna Jones, of Rowton, writes: "I wish to nominate my best friend Anne Lee and her fiancé Andy Sharp.

"In February 2009 Anne felt unwell and collapsed in a shop in Whitchurch where she then lived and worked. She was rushed by ambulance to Crewe Hospital and it was discovered she had a stroke. Two weeks later her then fiance ended their relationship and gave the dog away and gave up the house they rented making her homeless!

"The hospital was a fifty mile round trip for visiting. In July of that year she was moved to the Stroke Ward at Shrewsbury Hospital. Gradually Anne improved and moved into a warden controlled flat at Heath houses in Shrewsbury.

"Eventually although still unable to do things due to paralysis she started to go the Grange Day Centre. Whilst there she met Andy who had also had a stroke whilst unconscious his wife passed away in a hospice.

"Andy and Anne saw each other and friendship blossomed into love. The Grange closes in July due to government cuts. So as it was where they met Andy proposed to her in the gardens and she accepted.

"In conclusion despite their health obstacles/difficulties and sadness: Love conquers all!"

Claire Tong - nominates sister Nicola

Claire Tong writes: "Where can I start, three years ago my dad passed away, he was 52 and it was very unexpected, one day he was there and then next gone. He was an amazing man, I'm not just saying that because he was my dad, he really was amazing! Everyone thought so!

"Obviously it hit me my elder sister Nicola and my mom very hard, we all sort of fell apart! But my sister, held it together for us! She helped my mom organize everything with the funeral and she looked after us, her and her fiance moved back to our family home to take care of me and my mom.

"Due to this terrible thing happening to us all, my sisters life has been put on hold, her wedding was planned, but due to the circumstances all the plans vanished as quickly as my dad had gone, its three years on and my sister still is yet to walk down the aisle, she is 30 years old and I dont want her thinking it's too late or missing out on getting married because of what's happened.

"I want to nominate my sister for this because I want her to have her special day and for once, have a day to be about her instead of her always putting everyone else ahead of herself. she deserves it so much!

"For my dad to be able to look down and see her on her special day because I know all he wants for us, is for us to be happy, I want Nicola to believe she can have her day without my dad physically there and move on with her life, because its be on hold, through the grief of our beloved dad."

Colin Mapp and Teina McGarry

Colin Mapp, of Donnington, Telford, writes: "I would like to win your wedding competition so I could give my wonderful partner Teina a dream wedding.

"We have been together for 3 1/2 years and are trying to save for our wedding but are finding it hard and cannot yet set a date.

"If we were lucky enough to win Teina could have a wedding that she would always remember. Teina has being married before and has three grown up daughters but her first wedding was very small and basic.

"When Teina was in her twenties she had a serious illness resulting in a major operation and has left her needing regular hospital appointments and medication.

"The stress of this illness contributed to the break-up of her first marriage and so Teina raised her daughters as a single parent. Now that her daughters are grown up and have children of their own Teina is still always there for them but is also giving herself a second chance at wedded bliss.

"We have just found out that her dad has terminal cancer and would love to be able to arrange our wedding in time for him to walk Teina down the aisle."

Ann Moore and John Cassidy

Ann Moore, of Trench, Telford, writes: "John and I have been engaged for two years this September and would love something positive to look forward as we move forward after a difficult period.

"2010 was a shocking year for us. John was desperately seeking work and we were dealing with my cancer scare. Both took their toll but we found ourselves becoming an unbreakable team.

"John has now been working since January and I got the all clear in May, but will continue to be closely monitored.

"We're now free to think about our future and after my all clear, the chance of starting a family becomes a realistic possibility.

"We both have little family support. I have little close family and my mother moved to New Zealand seven years ago. I provide support for my father. John has not had contact with his father for many years and his mother moved to Bulgaria a few years ago.

"So during 2010 we really meet the definition of 'a rock' to each other and I can say without hesitation that John's love, support and understanding have far exceeded my expectations.

"We would be beyond overjoyed if we were lucky enough to win this fantastic prize of I a wedding at Telford Hotel & Golf Resort' . So I ask the panel, think of yourselves as our surrogate fairy godpersons and give us our 'happily ever after'."

Zoe Rashleigh and Steven Harvey

Victoria Rashleigh, of Hollinswood, Telford, writes: "I am writing this to try and win my mum and stepdad the wedding of their dreams.

"My mum has lived through cancer before in her life. I had saved my mum's life once when I was 8-years-old, her lung collapsed, but luckily I saved her. But unfortunately she now has to live with a lifelong condition of bullous emphysema.

"My mother has raised me on my own with the loving support of my family. Her partner, who she hopes to marry was brought up by his grandmother.

"My stepdad's father had passed away before my stepdad was born. My mum and stepdad have struggled financially to make sure I've always had the things I needed.

"So I am writing this to you, in the hope to win them their dream wedding because I believe they deserve it."

Samantha Perks and Edward Roberts

Chloe Roberts, of Leegomery, Telford, writes: "My name is Chloe Roberts and I would like to win this competition so my mum and dad can get married, they love each other very much.

"But whenever they are going to plan a wedding they don't have the money to afford one.

"But it is not just them, many people would like them to get married, including friends and family.

"They have been together since my mother was 14 and it would be a very special day for everyone to see. They want this more than anything in the entire world and so do I!

"I hope we win because it will be very special and everything will have came true! Thank you."

Employees of the Shropshire Star, associated companies and their immediate families are not eligible to enter. The Editor's decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. No cash alternative of the prize is available.