A day to remember for Chris and Lisa Perry as couple renew wedding vows

Christopher and Lisa Perry renew their wedding vows in front of family and friends at Jarrow Civic Hall.

Family and friends turned out in force to support Christopher and Lisa Perry at Jarrow Civic Hall.

Christopher, 37, of Wuppertal Court, is terminally ill and undergoing chemotherapy as doctors try to prolong his life.

The couple were kept in suspense ahead of the occasion, with friends organising everything.

They secured donations from people and businesses across South Tyneside, including florists and supermarkets, and for items including a wedding cake and wedding car.

Lisa was left overwhelmed by the response, and the day itself.

She said: “It was absolutely amazing.

“It’s incredible to see how generous people have been.

“They asked people and businesses to donate things and among the items they got were the cake, make-up, a bouquet, the wedding car, decorations for the tables, catering and a photographer.

“It was absolutely great and will be a lovely memory for us.

“Christopher loved it. He’s exhausted now but he had a really good day.

The couple with their family and friends.

“He really enjoyed himself.”

On the surprise, Lisa added: “We knew we were renewing our vows but not until the last minute, and we didn’t know anything else.

“We didn’t know anything until we got there. We didn’t know who was coming, or anything about what had been donated.

“They kept everything totally a secret, even the venue. It was a complete surprise.”

Among the seven main organisers were friends Joanne Parker and Emma Tasker.

Joanne said: “Lisa had mentioned something about wanting to get her vows renewed on a night out.

“Emma got a bee in her bonnet from there and we went from there.

“We got an amazing amount of donations and we just want to thank everyone who helped to make it a special day for them.”

Earlier this month, Christopher’s mobility scooter was stolen from his shed while he and Lisa were visiting her family in Manchester.

However, they last week paid tribute to a woman who gave Christopher a much-needed lifeline by donating a scooter to replace it, allowing him to maintain independence.