Couple’s big day salvaged by kind hearted strangers

Liz and Paul on their big day

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Kind hearted strangers rallied together to ensure that a couple whose wedding reception venue was destroyed by a fire could still enjoy their special day.

Liz Day, 53 and Phil Martland, 41, had their big day planned for last Saturday and were going to host their reception at Our Lady’s Catholic Club in Middleton, where Mr Martand works – the club however was destroyed by a devastating fire last Wednesday (14 September).

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/60893/deliberate-fire-destroys-social-club

The couple, from Prestwich, had planned a low-key family affair and had made their own decorations; unfortunately the fire destroyed everything from the DJ equipment to the room decorations. In a last ditch attempt to appeal for help Liz’s daughter contacted a radio station in a bid for help with their plight.

Liz said: “It was absolutely horrendous; everything for the wedding was in there.

“My daughter phoned Key 103 and people got in touch with them and they passed them on to us.

“We didn’t expect the response that we got.”

Many people got in touch to offer assistance, including prestigious hotels, caterers and renowned DJs. The pair wanted to keep the venue local for their guests so switched to the Woodside Working Men’s Club, not far from the original venue.

A member of the Catholic Club who secured the room at the new venue then stood in as the DJ, Liz’s mum paid for the buffet and the wedding cake was made by a relative.

Liz concluded: “It was absolutely fantastic how it all fell together and it just goes to show there are some absolutely fantastic people in the world.”

One of those who got in touch was Adelle Stott of Rochdale based Wow Weddings & Events. Adelle helped the couple with room decorations. She said “I knew the couple would be incredibly stressed so gladly offered to assist in any way I could.”