A BRIDE who met her husband while working at Glasgow’s leading cancer hospital is hoping to make a patient’s dream come true - by giving away her stunning wedding dress.

Ashleigh and Derek McCarvel tied the knot after winning £20,000 towards their big day through a radio competition.

The pair said their vows during a recent heartfelt ceremony at Citation in Glasgow's Merchant City and now want to do their bit to give another couple a day filled with treasured memories.

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Speaking exclusively to the Glasgow Times, Ashleigh, 37, said: “It was the perfect occasion, everything we hoped for and more. The venue was gorgeous, but the best part was saying our vows in front of our family and friends.

“It was something we would never have been able to afford without winning all that money – so I want to try and pass that on to someone else. I’ve worked with a lot of ladies fighting cancer and I want to do this to give one of them the same joy I had.

“I felt like a princess in my dress and the entire day was just so special. It was our dream wedding. 

“When Derek saw me walking down the aisle, he had a tear in his eye and he said to me that he thought the dress was absolutely stunning. That got me thinking about how I could use it to benefit someone else, so now I’d like to donate it to a lady who is currently coping with cancer. Hopefully, it can help to make her day that little bit more special - I’d rather it was put to good use than just hanging up in my wardrobe.

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“I want someone else to get the chance to feel as wonderful as I did while wearing it.”  

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The pair fell in love after meeting while working on the wards at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow's West End.

Ashleigh took a shine to hospital porter Derek straight away and they were soon planning a life together.

They then hit the jackpot in the GoRadio contest for an all-expenses paid ceremony and reception, scooping the top prize by raising thousands of pounds for the charity where they both work.

Ashleigh, a community staff nurse, from Maryhill, entered the competition with the station last year, battling it out against three other couples.

Ashleigh and Derek, 43, organised a bingo night, bucket collections and bungee jump in just two weeks and raised over £13,000 for the Beatson to win the lavish wedding in Glasgow's Merchant City.

With the venue, food, drinks, cars, DJ, decorations and a piper all paid for, the bride and groom-to-be were also delighted to learn they would be given money towards their dress and kilt.

Glasgow Times:

Ashleigh said: “It would have taken us years to save up for something like this. Even now, I still can’t believe we won and have sometimes to pinch myself because I had never won anything in my life. We just wanted to raise money for a brilliant cause so it was amazing to get the wedding on top of that.

“Total strangers donated to our JustGiving page to help us reach our total. Everyone was a winner - we had a beautiful wedding and the Beatson got a cheque for £13,303, which we were so thrilled about.”

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Ashleigh says the Beatson will always hold a special place in the couple’s hearts - and they are already planning their next fundraising mission.

She added: “We’ve seen first-hand the incredible work that the hospital does for people coping with cancer. It’s truly a very special place and the staff go above and beyond for the patients every day.

“I’m hoping to take on a skydive later this year and I’m trying to convince Derek to come on board as well, but he’s not too keen on heights.

“One thing we are sure of is that we both want to keep on fundraising and do all we can for this fantastic charity.”