When Jason Edwards received the shocking diagnosis that he was suffering from terminal motor neurone disease, there was one engagement he was desperate to keep as soon possible.

And that was to take his fiancée Elaine’s hand in marriage.

The couple brought forward their wedding plans with the help of the Pilgrims Hospice, which is helping with Jason’s care and support at his home in Herne Bay.

The ceremony took place recently at his flat, and was organised in just 36 hours with family and close friends present.

“It was a beautiful service and, of course, there were a few tears because it was a very moving occasion,” said Elaine, 47.

“Jason is the kindest, sweetest person but is having to cope with so much, so it was nice for us to share this special occasion.”

The couple first met about 16 years ago when Jason, a former carpenter, moved into flats in Sea Street where Elaine’s mum also lived.

But they only started dating two and a half years ago and got engaged last year.

By then, Jason, 50, a dad-of-two from his first marriage, had already been having worrying symptoms, but Elaine says the Covid pandemic delayed getting doctor’s appointments and tests.

“We kept going backwards and forwards to the hospital, and after eventually being referred to a consultant neurologist, Jason was kept in for some definitive tests,” she recalled.

“We were hoping and praying and keeping everything crossed that it would not be what we feared most, but sadly it was.

"It was a beautiful service and, of course, there were a few tears..."

“It left us both reeling and we were told it was quite advanced and obviously terminal because there is no cure.

“The MND nurse told us Jason may only have until Christmas, which is why we wanted to bring our wedding forward.”

Family members and close friends gathered for the intimate ceremony last month, which was organised by the Pilgrims Hospices’ spiritual care lead Martin Yates.

“One of the really important parts of the work we do at Pilgrims is to make every day as good as it can be for both our patients and their families – so they can live their lives to the full, “ he said.

“Our links with community agencies help us to do this. In this case, the Canterbury registrars pulled out all the stops, and between us we were able to achieve Elaine and Jason’s wishes.

“It is so lovely to be able to do things like this for our patients and their families.”

Elaine praised the team for their “totally amazing” effort.

“Pilgrims gives us as a family help and support in ways we never imagined possible,” she said.

“They are on hand for help and advice 24 hours a day; it gives us peace of mind knowing that they are there throughout this hard time in our lives.

“They do an amazing job, and we can’t thank them enough.”

After the service, the couple held their reception at the Catholic Social Club in Herne Bay, where Elaine praised the staff for rallying round to help them.

And despite Jason’s deteriorating health, the couple were able to get away to visit her father in Grimsby for a few days.