Edinburgh mum-of-six to fulfil dream of getting married after being given three weeks to live

Young mum-of-six diagnosed with rare cancer just three months ago to marry partner after she was given just three weeks to live
Holly will marry her partner Niccolas next WednesdayHolly will marry her partner Niccolas next Wednesday
Holly will marry her partner Niccolas next Wednesday

A young mum-of-six who has been given just weeks to live is set to marry her partner after her community rallied around her to help organise the short notice wedding.

Holly Blake, 35, from Edinburgh received a shock cancer diagnosis around three months ago after going into hospital for what she thought was a blood clot but an x-ray revealed she had a rare form of metastasised cancer in her lungs, which had already spread throughout her body.

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She was diagnosed with small blue cell sarcoma which is a rare kind of sarcoma that spread through her lymph nodes to her calves.

Unfortunately, her latest round of chemotherapy had not worked and doctors have now given her a maximum of three weeks to live. She now plans to fulfil her dream of getting married to her partner and youngest twins’ dad Niccolas Scott before it is too late.

She has been granted a licence to get married at short notice given the circumstances.

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Holly said: “I’ve always wanted to get married but Nicc has never really been up for it, but he came in to hospital to say ‘I suppose we better get married then’ and that is as romantic as it got.

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“We’ve had so many offers of help, we should know where the venue is hopefully by the end of the day but the date is definitely August 26.

“I’ve got a dress and trainers and the boys will have kilts and t-shirts and trainers, it’s not very formal but it's very us. I’m delighted to have a little bit of light in what is a very difficult time.”

She is now spending her time preparing for her dream wedding and spending as much time as she can with her family and six children - Eli, 17, Poppy 14, twins Daisy and Pippa, ten, and her youngest twins Edward and Primrose, two.

Holly will have one last round of chemotherapy before moving to pain management to control the fluid build up in her lungs.

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“The key is to just live each day and take each day as it comes,” Holly said, “I’ve come to a place of acceptance for myself. It’s just really unfortunate when it’s your time.

“I don’t feel afraid, but I feel anxious for my kids and how life is going to be for them, but I know that they are surrounded by a loving family. I’m so lucky to have them.

“These things happen, but I’ve got the gift of saying goodbye and I’ve got to take the positive from this situation.”

Holly has arranged for Edward and Primrose to live with their dad Niccolas Scott, 32, and the other children will live with her mum Diane Blake, 53.

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Her aunt, Christine Langridge started a fundraiser at the end of July with an aim of raising £20,000 to help Holly’s family with childcare, bills and making happy memories at a very difficult time.

Since starting the fundraiser, generous donations of over £16,000 have poured in.

Holly praised NHS staff for the care that she received and thanked everyone who had donated or offered help and well wishes.

“I really want to say thank you to everyone that has donated so far, it has given me some peace of mind that Nicc and the kids will have that to keep them going through the first bit, I’m so grateful.

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People really do amaze me, I have always tried to see the good in people and I haven’t even had to try in this situation, I feel lucky and thankful to have been thought of.”

Those wishing to donate to Holly’s fundraiser can do so on the GoFundMe page.

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