Glasgow dad determined to get married after fearing he has just six months left to live

Peter Pender fears he may have just six months to live after being told his bladder cancer is terminal.

The 53-year-old, from Glasgow, is planning to marry Diane Sutherland, 43, next week to grant her “last wish” from him.

The couple will tie the knot at Coats Church in Paisley on July 15 and are trying to fundraise to pay for the event.

Peter has been left “gutted” by the heartbreaking news and how he won’t be able to watch his three young teenagers grow up.

Despite the tragic revelation, he is determined to stay positive and keep “fighting all the way.”

Peter and Diane are getting married

Peter told the Glasgow Times: “I was told I was terminal and asked my partner of 22 years what her last wish would be.

“She wanted to get married, so I said yes. I've been with her for 22 years, I met her when she was 21 and I was 30.

“We hit it off and I have been with her ever since.

“I'm gutted about dying as I have three young kids aged 18, 16, and 14.

“It's them I feel for as they're watching me suffer.

“I'm still alive and fighting it all the way so I've told people not to treat me any differently.

“The day will come when the cancer takes me down, but I'm still here and living day by day.

“Doctors told me I have less than a year but because it's aggressive. I reckon about six to nine months.”

Peter was first diagnosed with cancer five years ago and had major surgery to remove his bladder and tumour.

He thought he was about to get the all-clear this year before his last scan revealed tragic news. The cancer had returned and a PET scan in April revealed there was nothing doctors could do, he was terminal.

Now Peter and Diane are trying to raise £2,000 to help pay for their big day to help them at this difficult time.

Charity Wedding Wish Makers released a statement on social media.

It read: "Thanks to everyone who has donated, offered their support and who is providing their goods and services and giving up their free time to help make this dream wedding possible for Peter and Diane.

“We are still quite a bit away from our goal for donations to help pay for things, so we are giving it another push to try to make this possible.

"If you can help even if it’s just £1 it all adds up helps make this wedding possible, we really appreciate your continued support."

A GoFundMe page for the couple reads: “Peter was diagnosed with bladder cancer five years ago. He was hoping to get the all-clear but unfortunately he received devastating news that the cancer had spread and was now terminal.

“As soon as Peter got over the shock he proposed to Diane, his partner of 22 years, the couple have three children 14, 16 and 18.

“The couple now plan to be married Friday, July 15. Peter's sister Helen and the family have rallied round arranging décor, cakes, photographer, flowers and more.

“Coats Paisley have very kindly offered their stunning venue free of charge but we still have a long way to go as we need £2000 to help pay for the catering, wedding licenses etc.”

You can donate to Peter and Diane’s wedding here.