A terminally ill mum is to renew her wedding vows as an everlasting gift to her husband.

Carol Sewell, 58, of Alder Close, Sheerness was diagnosed with cancer in April last year.

She underwent a successful operation to remove the tumour, but it returned a year later.

She is now halfway through a five-week course of radiotherapy at Maidstone Hospital and doesn’t know how much longer she has to live.

But she is certain whatever time’s left will be spent providing loved ones with precious moments to remember.

She said: “I love my husband so much.

“Renewing our vows was the only thing I could think of that would leave him with good memories.

“It’s going to be very emotional and Fields of Gold by Eva Cassidy will be our first dance.

“I want it played at my funeral as well, but I’m not thinking about that – when it comes, it comes.”

Carol and husband Peter, 60, a retired steelworker, celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on December 17.

The couple, who have four children, 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, will renew their vows in front of family and friends at Holy Trinity Church in Sheerness three days beforehand.

The venue is being provided free of charge, as is the reception hall in New Road courtesy of the Bond Group.

Benefactors have also stepped in with gratis donations of bride and bridesmaids’ dresses, flowers and a cake.

The abundance of generosity was triggered by a family-led Facebook plea.

“We only asked if anyone had a car, but it snowballed from there,” Carol said.

“I’m so grateful to everybody.

“It’s nice to know there’s nice people in this world.”

Carol, a former Danley School dinner lady, said she intends December’s ceremony to be a celebration with guests asked to wear purple and cream, her favourite colours.

She said: “It was a shock at the beginning to be told the cancer was terminal, but I’m a tough old bird.

“My mum died two weeks ago from cancer, so that’s stopped me thinking about my own health.”

After the couple renew their nuptials, the whole family will reconvene a week later for what are sure to be poignancy-filled festivities.

Carol said: “We’re all getting together at my granddaughter’s on Christmas Day, just in case it’s my last one.”