Naomi Thomas began working as a self employed wedding planner in 2005, but after only four years pursuing her dream career and only three months with her fiancé Graham, Naomi’s world was turned upside down as, at just 26 years old, she was given the devastating news that she had Breast Cancer.
‘It was terrifying,” she says. “Your world just falls apart, especially thinking of my loved ones. When I was diagnosed I had to deal with all sorts of difficult issues, but it was just as tough for Graham. How partners cope with a breast cancer diagnosis and the rollercoaster of emotions that follow is often overlooked.’
After a gruelling series of treatments including an operation, chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, Naomi had hoped she had beaten the disease and looked to the future with Graham. Both were delighted when in early 2010, aged 27, Naomi discovered she was pregnant and expecting their first child. Sadly shortly after the birth, she discovered the cancer had returned and this time it was terminal.
‘You forget it’s happening to you,’ says Naomi. ‘All I know is I won’t survive this and I just enjoy every day as it comes. Over time I’ve come to terms with it. It’s the people you leave behind I feel for’ she explains.
Naomi had to cancel her wedding day due to the financial impact of cancer. Her extraordinary story caught the attention of local Wedding Planner Sam Williams and through the enormous generosity of Sam, the local community and from complete strangers, a dream wedding was arranged with donations from wedding suppliers.
So, in early 2012, Naomi decided to try to help others to get married just as she had been helped. The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation was born. She says, ‘When I began the foundation I wanted to help as many people with terminal illnesses or life threatening conditions have the wedding day they could only have dreamt of and I want this to continue. The foundation will be my legacy and that makes me a very proud woman.’
Local Bristol Wedding Planner Jo Robbins was so moved by the work of the Wishing Well Foundation she has organised a wedding fair at Bakers and Cutler Hall at Brasserie Blanc in Cabot Circus. Jo already has a great line up of top wedding suppliers eager to exhibit and support the foundation. She is also looking for help from those who have already tied the knot.
Jo says " If anyone would like to donate their pre-loved wedding dress/suit/accessories/children's dresses and suits, then on the day of the event we will be collecting them for Naomi to offer to brides or to sell to raise funds for the foundation."
The wedding fair takes place on Sunday 3rd March from 11am to 4:30pm.
Find out more on the website www.weddingwishingwellfoundation.org
