Englishwoman Lynnette Coxall and her Spanish fiance Eric Shroder, who are both 30 and based in Cork, made contact a few years ago in an internet chat room and they “hit it off overnight”. Within three months, Lynnette had moved from England to Cork to move in with Eric.
Fiona Hagensen, who will be maid of honour at the couple’s wedding next week, said the pair had a blissful few years together until tragedy struck last December when Eric became sick. What he first assumed was a stomach bug turned out to be bowel cancer.
He underwent surgery and the prognosis was very positive. However, Fiona says his condition deteriorated and they were told the cancer was terminal.
“He started chemo 10 weeks ago and he never responded well. But we did not think it was a terminal illness. On Tuesday, he was readmitted to the South Infirmary and he was operated on. [Thursday] evening, we (Lynnette and Fiona) got the phone call to come down and the consultant met with us and had to break the news that the operation was very unsuccessful and the tumour had spread. The consultant had to break the news that it is terminal and it is very short term, possibly between two weeks and one month to live.”
Fiona said Lynnette and Eric got engaged “quite a while ago” and planned to get married in Majorca in April or May of next year.
Eric has been unable to keep down food for the last months and has lost more than three stone but he “knows his dream” and has vowed to get married next week.
“They have the best relationship. Eric’s wish is for them to become officially husband and wife. He wants his wedding to be a celebration and not a place to mourn. He knows very clearly what he wants and we are waiting for family to come over from Spain and England,” Fiona said.
Peter Kelly of Weddings by Franc fame contacted 96FM offering his services.
Meanwhile, The Baldy Barbers offered to go to the hospital to tend to Eric’s grooming needs, RSVP magazine said they would pay for the photography and offered the use of a Rolls Royce car, while taxi companies offered to pick up family from Cork Airport for the wedding.
Beauticians and hairdressers also called Fiona offering assistance with hair and make-up, with Shandon Flowers among a number of florists who promised to provide Lynnette’s favourite flowers, peonies.
Tux ’r’ Us phoned to say they would provide suits for the wedding while the Roaring Forties band and Natural Gas were among numerous offers of music for the wedding reception.
A magician offered his services for the reception, while one anonymous donor walked in to the 96FM studios in Cork city with a cheque of an unspecified amount for the wedding.
Soprano Cara O’Sullivan said she is willing to sing at the church on the day. “The bottom line is they are going to have the best day of their lives. They might pick something nice in Spanish. I am happy to do it,” she said.
The couple plan to keep the venue of the wedding and reception private.
“Eric has asked me to stress one thing. This is not begging. It is a time issue. The time element is what is crucial. On behalf of Eric and Lynnette we just want to say thank you so so much. We want this to be their dream come true.”