A TERMINALLY ill father made his daughter’s dream come true by dancing with her at her school prom.
Elizabeth Price, 11, asked dad Tony if he would take to the floor as it is unlikely he will survive to see her wedding day.
Mr Price, 43, was diagnosed with a melanoma last August and despite surgery and radiotherapy, doctors told the father of three there is no cure for his cancer.
Staff at Trinity Hospice were determined Elizabeth’s prom night with her dad should be extra special so arranged a white horse and carriage to take the pair to the dance at Fleetwood Town Football Club.
And there was barely a dry eye among the pupils and staff at Chaucer Primary School as they took to the floor for the first dance to Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You Are.
Elizabeth, from Whinfield Avenue, Fleetwood, said: “I’m so happy I got to dance with dad at my prom because I know we won’t be able to do it if I get married.
“We danced to his favourite song too.
“I have always wanted to go in a horse and carriage with dad so it was amazing when I saw one arrive to take us to the prom.
“I’ll always remember it.”
Mr Price, who has three children, Elizabeth, Abigail, who is two and eight-month -old Matilda is to undergo a course of aggressive chemotherapy in a bid to extend his life.
But in the meantime, he is treasuring every moment with his wife Sarah, 32, and their three children.
He said: “Having cancer has put things in perspective and makes me realise how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family.
“All I ever wanted to be was a husband and a dad and I’m both so I’ve been blessed.
“I don’t know how long I’ve got, I know my two younger daughters won’t remember me so I’ve been focusing on making memories for Elizabeth.
“I was so touched when she asked me to dance with her at the prom, she’s coped so well and been so grown up.
“I hope she will remember her prom night and our dance always.”
As well as the horse and carriage, Trinity staff also organised a bottle of sparkling pink fruit juice for the pair to sip on the way to the prom. The tab for the night was picked up by a mystery benefactor to the hospice known only as Simon.
A school awards ceremony also former part of the prom and Elizabeth, who is described as a “model pupil” by teaching staff picked up two trophies for her achievements in maths and science.
But the night will always be a treasured memory for mum Sarah, 32, she said: “I’m so happy Sarah and Tony got this special time together.
“I was very close to my own dad and getting to travel to my wedding with him was so special.
“Tony can feel himself deteriorating since his treatment stopped, it is unlikely he will even see her high school prom.
“Having him at her primary prom really means the world to her.”
Comments