Snowed-in bride helped by drivers

Karen Lee said she could not thank people enough for their help

A snowed-in bride from Kent enlisted the help of 4x4 drivers to get her and 40 guests to the church on time and ensure the wedding went ahead.

Karen Rawlins, 42, had feared she would have to cancel her wedding to John Lee, 35, because of the snow.

But following an appeal on BBC Radio Kent, listeners helped transport them to the church, in the remote village of Dode, near Luddesdown.

Following the service the new Mrs Lee said: "It was a dream come true."

She said: "It's been absolutely amazing, I'm lost for words and can't thank people enough for their generosity, it's not what you expect really.

"In total there's been about seven or eight cars and Land Rovers - we even had an offer of a tractor and trailer as well.

She added: "I think we had both resigned ourselves this morning to it not happening, then when all these people started pulling together and we realised we could get married, it was just unbelievable. It was a dream come true.

"We changed lots of things and cut short some things, but we had the ceremony and service and got married on he day we planned. That's through the generosity of so many people."

Volunteer John Goffin, 62, from Gillingham, who witnessed the service said: "A friend phoned me and said there had been an appeal on Radio Kent.

"I said I had a Land Rover Discovery and was quite happy to ferry some people to help out. I think it's great to be able to do something like this. You do it because you want to."

A string of kind-hearted listeners helped get the couple's guests from the Premier Inn in Gravesend, and from the Leather Bottle in Cobham to the ceremony in 4x4 vehicles.

Speaking before the ceremony Mrs Lee's sister Tracey Spellman, 41, said: "When my sister woke up this morning she was very quiet.

"When we started to have the calls through from the radio that there were cars coming, she was crying.

"It probably would have been off, but now it's going to happen."

Have you been affected by the snowy conditions? Let us know using the form below. You can also send in your snow pictures and video.

Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions.

At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.

In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.

The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version