A north-east dad diagnosed with terminal cancer just the week before his wedding has been inundated with donations from well-wishers.
Scott Cowie was due to marry fiance Laura Ross in Cyprus on August 13.
But the week before the couple were due to fly out, the 30-year-old was given the devastating news he had less than 18 months to live.
On the day the pair were due to say “I do”, Mr Cowie underwent a liver biopsy which confirmed he had an aggressive cancer known as round cell tumours.
Now the father-of-three’s friends have launched a fundraising campaign to ensure the offshore worker can make precious memories with his young family – and finally tie the knot.
Already, loved ones and well-wishers have raised more than £6,500 to ensure his final year is a happy one.
Miss Ross said: “Scott’s friend Ryan Meadows said to us ‘look, I’m setting up a page and if people want to they can donate’ and we weren’t sure at first as we’re quite proud people and don’t like asking for money.
“But Scott has no life or critical illness insurance and we need to pay for a roof over our heads.
“Scott is always the first one to help others out and we were overwhelmed to see the amount rise and rise.
“The money will really help us so much.”
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Mr Cowie was diagnosed with gastritis and constipation by his GP in July, but was sent home from work when medics offshore realised he was seriously ill.
A CT scan then revealed four tumours in his stomach and two in his chest, and he was sent for a liver biopsy on what was supposed to be the happiest day of his life.
Miss Ross said her fiance – who she will marry in Peterhead later this month – had always led a healthy lifestyle, which had made the diagnosis even harder to accept.
She said: “It was horrible how he deteriorated so fast.
“Scott was fit as a fiddle, never been in hospital, went to the gym five times a week, eats healthy but it’s to do with DNA.
“We thought his diagnosis would be lymphoma or stomach cancer which is treatable, so it was such a shock being told it was round cell tumours and that there was nothing they could do.
“He’s getting chemo just now but it will only prolong the inevitable.”
Mr Cowie will marry Miss Ross in Peterhead later this month surrounded by friends and family, including step-daughter Sophie, 11, Wynter, eight, and two-year-old Lotti.
Miss Ross thanked the “amazing community of Peterhead” for their donations after such a tricky time.
Mr Meadows, who has been friends with Mr Cowie for 15 years, said he had set up the fundraiser to take financial worries away from the family as it was the “only way” he felt he could help.
He has also organised a fundraising football match on October 20 at Buchanhaven Hearties with kick-off at noon.
