GUESTS due to attend a Dorset wedding are being asked to support a cause helping people fighting cancer instead of buying presents for the bride and groom.

Kay Farrell will wed Gary Ridout on Saturday, May 19.

At the reception, the couple will hold a prize raffle with all proceeds going to Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).

The raffle will be run by one of Kay's best friends, Ali Campbell, who has fought her own cancer battle and been supported by DCCF.

Kay and Gary say they have everything they need so are asking their guests to support the raffle instead of buying them gifts.

Dorset Cancer Care Foundation was formed in 2012 to help people cope with the financial pressures of the disease.

The charity gives grants to help people pay for everything from transport to and from hospital for treatment, to household bills, accommodation costs and short breaks.

Mum-of-three Kay said: “Many of my family and friends have experienced cancer. Some have even lost their lives to it.

“One of my best friends, Ali Campbell, is thankfully winning her battle against it, so I thought: 'Gary and I have everything we need, why not use this happy occasion to help people who are fighting cancer?'"

Kay is no stranger to holding charity raffles – she has forgone presents on two of her previous birthdays to raise money for cancer charities.

She added: “Everyone loves a raffle and we have collected some great prizes.

“My friends and family are always happy to support me and I think it will be a fun addition to the festivities.”

The couple, from Shillingstone, near Blandford, will marry at Holyrood Church in the village. A reception will be held at the nearby Portman Hall.

Kay added: "Ali, who also lives in Shillingstone, was diagnosed with head and neck cancer a year ago and was helped by DCCF.”

It took a team of surgeons 12-and-a -half hours to cut away Ali’s cancer and use flesh and bone from her left shoulder to reconstruct the top left of her mouth. She was then in a medically-induced coma for four days.

Kay said: “DCCF helped Ali afford some car repairs and funded her petrol costs to and from the hospital, so afterwards she invited people to ‘sponsor’ her through six weeks of radiotherapy, with all proceeds going to the charity. She has since raised over £1,500.

“She is a wonderful lady and I’m so thrilled she will be here to celebrate this lovely day with us.”

Ali said: “It’s fabulous that Kay and Gary are using their wedding day to help DCCF.

“Kay and Gary’s wedding day will spread a lot of joy to a lot of people.”

To support DCCF visit www.dccf.co.uk