A betrothed couple, who had their big day cancelled with less than 12 hours notice, donated a haul of cupcakes meant for wedding guests to busy hospital staff.

At 2pm today, Lauren Peters and Sam Topliffe were due to tie the knot in front of close friends and family before flying over Sheppey in a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride and spending a week at Butlin's.

However, after the Prime Minister ordered yesterday afternoon that all restaurants and pubs close, their wedding, due to take place at Sheppey restaurant, The Ferry House, was called off.

Although there were "lots of tears" when the venue told them the news, the couple, who have a one-year-old daughter, Holly, decided to donate 50 chocolate cupcakes to staff at Sheppey Community Hospital.

The treats were dropped off by cake-maker Tracey Hammond this morning.

Sam, 28, a security guard at Sheerness Dockyard, said: "My best friend's mum is a first responder for the NHS and she's working around the clock for everyone. I wanted to bring back some of the Dunkirk Spirit. They really deserve it. We aren't going to use them and I felt it was nice to give them something for all their hard work."

During the Battle of Dunkirk in the Second World War, civilians used their own fishing boats and dinghies to ferry allied troops across the British Channel to safety.

Sam said: "Everyone is rushing around and acting chaotically. We are struggling to get paracetamol for our daughter because everyone is stripping the shelves. But if we all stick together we can get through it."

Despite Boris Johsnon urging people earlier this week to reduce social contact, the Minster couple decided to go ahead with the wedding, with only close family attending.

Elderly and vulnerable people, as well as people with coronavirus symptoms, and family from abroad were not going to attend.

"We didn't want to cancel because we had put so much planning into it, and we were going to have another party later in the year," Lauren, 23, a support worker for people with special needs, said.

The pair had booked a thirty minute helicopter ride after saying "I do".

Sam has dreamed of flying in a helicopter since he was a child, but this too has been postponed.

Luckily, the couple are not too badly out of pocket, as the venue, the wedding cake designer and suit hire company have agreed to reschedule. The pair are hoping to get married in September.

They were due to spend a week in Butlin's before going on their honeymoon in the summer, which has not been booked yet.

Instead of dancing the night away with friends, today the Lauren and Sam will be dropping off pieces of wedding cake to their friends self-isolating. However, they are not feeling too upset.

"Giving the cakes to the hospital has really cheered us up. It has bought a smile to my face," said Lauren.

A member of hospital staff said of the donation: "This was such a kind and unexpected gesture. The staff, who are all working very hard, really appreciated the thought."

On government advice, visiting hours on the wards have been restricted to between 6.30pm to 7.30pm and limited to one visitor per patient.

The public restaurant at the hospital has also been shut following the latest advice and the minor injuries unit at the hospital in Plover Road was temporarily closed because of staffing issues.

Callers were told to use the unit at Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital 10 miles away instead. The Sheppey unit is normally open every day from 9am to 9pm but does not have X-ray facilities at the weekend.

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