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Great-grandad Charlie Dann from Tenterden has vow renewal wish granted at Acacia House care home in St Michaels

By: Georgia Woolf

Published: 09:43, 15 November 2018

Updated: 11:27, 15 November 2018

A great-grandad who suffers from dementia has been granted his final wish of renewing his vows with his wife.

Charlie Dann, 76, and his wife Judy tied the knot for the second time at a ceremony in the Acacia House care home in St Michaels outside Tenterden.

Mr Dann - who was diagnosed with dementia eight years ago - moved into the care home in August.

The service took place at Acacia House

The home has been running a 'wish tree project' since April when manager Lisa Turner came up with the idea to grant every resident a final wish.

Mr Dann told care staff he already had the best things in his life and that he wished to remarry his wife.

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Thirty-two guests attended the service earlier this month, including friends, family and those who witnessed their first wedding more than 50 years ago.

Charlie and Judy with The Rev John Emmott

A three-course meal and buffet was served to guests and staff at the care home, along with evening entertainment and fireworks.

Mr and Mrs Dann met in Mote Park in Maidstone when she was 16 years old.

Mrs Dann, 71, said: "I was just hanging around with friends when I met him and he gave me a lift home on his motorbike.

"We started going out from there and got married a year later in 1963.

Charlie and Judy with their friends and relatives

"I was just full up when he said he wanted to marry me again, I was with him when he chose his wish and he said that was all he ever wanted."

The pair, who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary five years ago, have three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mr Dann - who lived in Park Wood in Maidstone before moving to the care home - worked at the Aylesford Paper Mill before joining the Daily Express as an electrician assistant.

The Wish Tree at Acacia House

He retired in 2008 after working at the Sheds & Shelters company in Hollingbourne.

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Since the wish project was set up, 14 Acacia House residents have had their wishes fulfilled, ranging from cake baking to a helicopter ride for one 99-year-old.

Since learning about the scheme, business owners in nearby Tenterden have got on board and helped to raise money for the cause.

Two florists in Tenterden - Barry Jones and the Flower Craft Workshop - donated flowers free of charge for the vow renewal service, while Moss Bros at the Ashford Designer Outlet fitted Charlie with a free suit.

The happy couple's wedding photo

The care home's deputy manager Nikki Boxall said: "We asked every resident if they could have one wish what would it be.

"Just because they are in a care home doesn't mean they shouldn't get to do these things and it's our job to help them fulfil it.

"Charlie turned around and said that he already had the best things in his life and said that he would like to remarry his wife.

Charlie and Judy Dann renew their wedding vows

"That's really were it all came from, his wife is his life."

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