They won the hearts of Mercury readers who helped them get the dream wedding they deserved and now Justin and Stephanie Harris from Walmer are holding a series of fun events to support the charity that saved Justin’s life.

The couple, who live in Belmont, had many set backs preventing them tying the knot. But by far the worst was when Justin had a stroke in May last year, paralysing the 40 year-old builder down one side.

Now they have realised their dream by marrying at the Hop Farm near Maidstone, they want to help Kent Air Ambulance who helped Justin when he collapsed during a bike ride near Ramsgate Road Sandwich.

She said: “There’s no question about it, Justin would have died without the air ambulance.

“If he had gone with the land ambulance, it would’ve been too late.”

The crew took him to hospital in Essex where he was in intensive care for six weeks.

And now things are settling down, they have chosen their local, the Thompson Bell pub, as the venue for their fundraising.

Last night, (Wednesday) regulars who are involved in the pub’s pool and darts teams, rolled up their sleeves.

The darts teams played the pool teams at their respective games while the men’s pool team played the women’s pool team for the Team Players Cup.

• Tonight (Thursday) poker players have the chance to win cash for themselves as well as raising it for the Kent Air Ambulance. There is no need to book, just be there before 8pm with £10 entry. The winner gets 50% of the proceeds.
• A race night will be held tomorrow (Friday) from 8pm and the owners of each horse will win a sponsored prize.
• The biggest fundraisers take place at the weekend. Stephanie and the women regulars from the pub are donning fancy dress and collecting around the pubs in the town.

She said: “We are going to leave here for the pubs in town at about 2.30pm and come back to the Thompson Bell for a night of karaoke and tarot reading.”

• On Sunday, bring your family to enjoy the afternoon disco and barbecue from noon, followed by an auction in the evening.

If you can’t make it to any of the events, you can still donate to the cause by calling in at the Thompson Bell, Dover Road, Walmer.