A Trowbridge man with terminal cancer is now able to marry his fiancé next Thursday (May 19) after kind-hearted family and friends raised more than £5,000 to help them out.

Terry Fearn, 63, will wed his partner Kay Brown, 58, after family and friends launched a gofundme appeal which has so far received 80 donations totalling £5,050.

And with help from the Wiltshire Times, the Department for Work and Pensions has finally approved a long-overdue Personal Independence Payment application made last October.

Mr Fearn learned this week the DWP has backdated a PIP payment of more than £3,400 and paid it into his bank account.

He will also continue to receive regular disability payments of £156.90 going forward to help support him and Kay.

The father-of-six, who lives in Sparrow Street, Trowbridge, said: “I am so grateful for everyone’s help. I can’t thank you enough.

“I am so overjoyed and happy. I am marrying the girl of my dreams. I should have done it years ago.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Fearn and his family at this difficult time.

“As soon as we received notification of his condition from his medical team, we fast-tracked his claim for PIP and paid Mr Fearn all the arrears due.”

Terry was left waiting to receive help from the DWP after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer which meant he could no longer work as a window cleaner.

He moved from Brentford to Bath after reconnecting with Kay six years ago, after first meeting her in 1988. They will marry at Trowbridge Register Office in County Hall on Thursday.

Terry’s mum Selena Oliver Fearn, brother Gary Fearn, sister Tina Fearn Filby and Debra Clarke, the mother of one of his six children, launched the gofundme appeal while waiting for the DWP to decide his application.

Tina Fearn-Filby said: “Terry did have a stroke four years ago and made a reasonable recovery.

“Unfortunately, Terry got diagnosed with cancer in his right lung and has undergone intensive treatment under the care of the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

“Currently, his partner Kay and his mum have mainly been supporting him.

“Terry has received his results that his cancer is now terminal which is very sad news for his family and friends.

“A big thank you to Kay for looking after him and thank you to anyone who donates.”