A terminally ill woman is finally getting married today after lawmakers in Northern Ireland swept aside some coronavirus lockdown conditions for her.
Bride-to-be Samantha Gamble and Frankie Byrne, 54, had originally planned to get married in March but the wedding was cancelled because gatherings were banned as part of the wider coronavirus lockdown.
When Ms Gamble was admitted to hospital three weeks ago her fiance began fighting to lift the ban on weddings.
Last week, Northern Ireland’s senior politicians agreed to ease some restrictions, and weddings in which one partner was terminally ill would be in the first phase of the changes.
Ms Gamble, 53, from Loughbrickland, County Down, was diagnosed with soft cell sarcoma 18 months ago. Doctors had told her then that she had two years to live. She was still in hospital when she learned her wedding could go ahead.
"I cried, I couldn't believe it, I still can't believe it," she said.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. They'll never know what it means to us. They do have hearts."
She added: "I know the cancer has spread, it's into my lungs and into my spine and neck.
"I just take every day as it comes. I don't want them to say you've got such and such a time because I think that would just bring me down.
"Whereas, at the minute, I can just say I'm living each day as it comes and I'm thankful for breathing."
The couple have been together for 12 years had always intended to get married but her cancer diagnosis and treatment had disrupted their plans.
Ms Gamble also thanked her cancer nurses at the National Health Service, whose care has helped ensure she will see her wedding day.
While the ceremony on Friday can take place, coronavirus restrictions mean only six people, including the couple and the officiant, can attend.
Ms Gamble said her two children and a close friend of the groom will also be present. Others will join via a video link.
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
UAE%20SQUAD
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
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6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
MATCH INFO
New Zealand 176-8 (20 ovs)
England 155 (19.5 ovs)
New Zealand win by 21 runs
UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
