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The Clitheroe


Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 No. 6,412 news and views from the Centre of the Kingdom www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk Price 72p dvertiser an imes


Bride's tears for brave brother


by Faiza Afzaal


THE first dance at a wed­ ding is an emotional moment for most couples. However, when new bride


Clare Moores biust into tears it wasn’t just matrimonial happi­ ness - but the joy of seeing her


brother walk for the first time in a decade. It was a wedding to remember for Clitheroe man Paul Howell, who planned the surprise for his sister after undergoing intensive physio­ therapy at the Royal Preston Hospital. The 27-year-old, who has


relied on a wheelchair for more than 10 years, was admitted to


the hospital’s neurological unit where he had rehabilitation and intense physiotherapy. When Paul’s physiotherapist


asked him if he had an aim to work towards, he touchingly told her he would love to be able to walk up to his sister Clare during her first dance at her wedding. Through sheer hard work and


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determination, Paul, who is a former pupil of Ribblesdale High School Technology Col­ lege, Clitheroe, achieved his goal and there wasn’t a dry eye among wedding guests at Eaves Hall Hotel, in Clitheroe, as he made his way on crutches towards the dance floor to the shock and delight of his sister. Clare (26), who married


Andrew Moores last month, had no idea brother Paul was planning such an emotional


surprise. She said: “Paul has had prob­


lems with his legs all his life and as the years have gone by, he has deteriorated and become less and less mobile.


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“At home, he was able to get


about on all fours, but apart from that, he has been relying on a wheelchair for many years. “I knew Paul was having


physio at the Royal Preston Hospital, but I had no idea he had learnt to walk on crutches and that he was planning to walk at my wedding. As Clare and Andrew took to


the dance-floor for their first dance to Westlife’s “I Wanna Grow Old With You”, Paul took hold of the crutches he had hidden earlier and stood


up. As Clare’s husband, spim her


around, she couldn’t believe her eyes as she caught a glimpse of her brother slowly walking towards her. She said: “It was such a won­


derful surprise that I felt over­ whelmed and burst into tears. / I am just so happy for Paul / and it was a wonderful wed- /


ding gift.” f l ARMED ROBBERY ON COUPLE'S DRIVEWAY: 311 MAYOR'S COUNTDOWN CHALLENGE; 3 sM m


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