Helen and Alan Morley are the lucky winners of Fleetwood Town’s Win a Wedding competition, allowing them to create treasured memories in the face of adversity.
Having been together for 28 years and married for 16, Helen and Alan decided they wanted to renew their vows after receiving some devastating news.
Six months after falling in the garden and thinking nothing of it, Alan underwent some tests and was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease, and was told he would live between two and five years. Now, almost five years on, he’s quadriplegic due to the rapid progression of the disease, and Helen and Alan have had to rely heavily on their family and friends.
Both Helen and Alan entered the Win a Wedding competition on social media, along with hundreds of others, but it was Alan whose name was chosen at random.
Fleetwood Town is a huge part of their lives as they used to love going to games as a family. Alan was always a season ticket holder until last year, when it became too difficult for him to attend the matches, so Highbury Stadium is the perfect place for them to renew their vows.
The Parkside Suite at Highbury Stadium is the ideal wedding venue, with stylish surroundings, rosette standard food, and bespoke wedding packages, and Fleetwood Town wanted to give one lucky couple a chance to experience it for themselves and have their dream wedding.
“I couldn’t believe it when Al told me he’d won the competition,” said Helen.” We’ve been talking about renewing our vows for a while, so it’s perfect timing. We had a really small wedding the first time round when the children were little, so this is a great opportunity for us to do it again and have a proper day.”
“We have had so much support from our friends and family over recent years, and we can’t wait to celebrate our love with them in a place where we have so many fond memories.”
Richard Simkin, Chief Operating Officer at Fleetwood Town, said: “What an absolutely lovely couple to win the competition. We have met with them and they are both so excited to announce this great news. It’s a dream come true for them, and with their personal circumstances aside, it’s the perfect chance for them to thank their friends and family for the support they’ve provided.
“We decided to run the competition so we could promote the packages on offer at the Parkside Suite that are available seven days per week – outside of first team fixtures. We have a wedding license too, so we can offer the full package and tailor to all budgets.
“I am truly touched by this amazing story, and I’m delighted that we can offer them the opportunity to renew their vows.”
Helen and Alan have three children, Sam, Olivia and Emily, who are all over the moon that their parents will be renewing their vows.
“For my parents to have won the chance to be able to renew their vows means so much to me and my family,” said 17-year-old Emily.
“The dedication my parents have always had towards my siblings and I, and towards each other, is incredibly inspiring. This wedding will mean so much to our family and we’ll all be able to look back and fondly remember the celebration of their love, despite all the adversities they face - I’ll especially enjoy it considering I was too young to remember their first wedding!
“The fact that the wedding takes place at Fleetwood Town is even more of a treat as my Dad is one of Fleetwood’s biggest supporters, and I remember him constantly taking me down to watch the games when he still could! I really can’t wait for the wedding and I’m absolutely elated that they won such a great prize - they really deserve it.”
The Morley’s don’t have too long to wait for this special day, as they’ve set a date for next year.
Fleetwood Town’s Parkside Suite is available to hire seven days a week for a whole host of events from birthdays and weddings, to christenings and charity dinners. With state-of-the-art facilities, beautiful surroundings, and exquisite food prepared by our in-house chefs, we can cater to all requirements. We also have our expert team on hand to assist with preparations, and we can promise you, your special occasion will be a memorable one. Click here to find out more.