momentsintime

Reece Fleming, 8, Dies A Day After Wedding

In children on July 24, 2008 at 12:30 am
Reece Fleming’s dying wish was to marry Elleanor Purgslove. The couple married the day after he proposed at a laser tag party at his home. The wedding was held in Machworth, Derby. The next day Reece died with his family. He was eight years old.

The young boy told his mother that he could go now after his marriage wish had taken place.

When Reece was just 4 he was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2004. He bravely fought the disease for four years. In May of 2008 doctors could do no more; they gave the schoolboy just weeks to live.

His mother and stepfather spent the rest of his short life giving him memories. They were able to help him achieve as much as possible before he died.

The pretend wedding happened on July 4. The mayor’s own limo carried the couple to dinner. Both families worked hard in just 24 hours to give the children this dream with rings, a certificate and a stand-in vicar.

Ms Fleming added: “Even on the Saturday that he died, he got out of bed and walked to the sofa.

“He always tried walking, right to the end, so we thought if he walked for us then we would walk for him.”

The mourners at young Reece’s funeral walked behind a horse-drawn hearse carrying his remains.

Reece may have died but his memory will live on.

  1. literally the saddest thing ive heard this week. best wishes to the family

    alannaonline 24 July 2008 at 4pm

  2. I have a three year old son, and my would fell apart just reading this. Very touching.

    ashnicbro 24 July 2008 at 7pm

  3. What a sad yet inspiring story. Thanks for sharing it.

    lisamm 24 July 2008 at 10pm

  4. And now I’m crying at work. What a beautiful memory both families helped make for him. Thank you for sharing this.

    rowdyruby 25 July 2008 at 1am

  5. It is amazing how strong children can be. I’m glad that he got this wishes.

    maleesha 25 July 2008 at 3am

  6. Thanks for sharing such an inspiring story of the human will to live life to its fullest. My prayers go out to this family.

    mommyinbloom 25 July 2008 at 12pm

  7. Little Reece’s story touched me. I believe that showing that life is to be lived to the fullness and that death, as sad as it is also can be a time of lifting one up. Reece in his time on this Earth is an inspiration for that.

    momentsintime 25 July 2008 at 1pm

  8. I shouldn’t have read that, but I couldn’t resist. That’s really touching and ill remember it for a long time.

    pacer521 (http://culturedecoded.wordpress.com)

    pacer521 26 July 2008 at 7pm

  9. oh how true…we are blessed by children everyday. If we would just listen and pay attention to there growing needs. Thank you for sharing.

    thejourneywithnoend 27 July 2008 at 3am

  10. What I really admire about Reece is the courage he showed…..He must feel proud of having a beautiful wife….

    hcv06 29 July 2008 at 7pm

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