Brave Mark tells Karen ‘I do’ again

Mark and Karen Bannister, of Springfield Close, rekindled their romance alongside children Sophie, six and Thomas, four, and 60 close family and friends at the Hickman Hill Hotel.

For Mark, 37, who is fighting a brain tumour, it was an extra special day as he celebrated ten years of marriage to Karen.

“When we got married in 2001 we said we’d renew our vows after ten years, but we didn’t know I was going to get ill,” he said.

“Now we have vowed to do this every five years if I’m still here.”

Little Thomas was an usher showing everyone where to sit, and he and his sister were also ring bearers.

“I was so proud,” said Mark.

“I didn’t notice anyone else, just Karen and the kids - I was living it through them.”

Karen’s proud dad David walked her down the aisle while Sophie walked in front wearing a dress just like her mum’s.

Mark said: “When I saw Karen walking down I was just gobsmacked at how beautiful she looked and I had a little cry.”

“It was emotional reading my vows too. It was very difficult for me.”

The happy couple held hands and fought back tears while they recited their vows to one another and exchanged new rings.

Then followed a buffet dinner for all the guests, and a speech from Karen’s dad, after which Mark and Karen danced to Adele’s Someone Like You.

Guests then partied through the night with a glitzy disco.

“It was such a wonderful day, I would recommend it to anyone,” said Mark.

The staff at Hickman Hill Hotel and Elise Bridal Shop in Marshall’s Yard pulled out all the stops so everything ran smoothly.

Mark is currently having chemotherapy which seems to have slowed his tumour growth.

But after the NHS refused potentially life-extending drug Avastin, his fight continues and every day is precious.

This weekend the family are going to Blackpool to enjoy the world famous illuminations.

To follow Mark’s progress search Mark Bannister’s Urgent Appeal for Treatment on Facebook.