A SINGLE father has recalled the heart-breaking moment when he was forced to move his wedding after doctors told him his wife had two weeks to live.

Father-of-one, Ed Smith, 36, from Newbury, lost his partner, Anna Smith, 38, to bowel cancer and has been left to raise his three-year-old daughter, Alba, alone.

In June 2017, Anna was diagnosed with bowel cancer which had spread to her liver and lungs.

She started chemotherapy treatment at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and had three rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

But Anna tragically lost her battle with cancer on June 7, 2018 at the age of 38.

Ed told the Gazette: “We were on holiday in Norfolk and Anna started to feel unwell. I put it down to a change in diet, she was always eating post pregnancy type stuff.

“She woke up in bed with so much pain in her stomach and I took her to hospital.

“We married 10 days before Anna died on May 26, 2018 in Shaw House in Newbury. We were meant to get married in September 2018 but were forced to move the wedding because doctors said Anna had only two weeks to live.

“The whole year was awful – nothing prepares you for when the doctors come in and say that.

“Life has changed dramatically since Anna died. It is a difficult balancing act. I have a brilliant, well-behaved toddler but I cannot go to the gym whenever I want anymore.

“I have to keep my promise and look after Alba. My wife and I always said our daughter can do anything when she puts her mind to it.”

Ed said that his wife was a “trooper” during the cancer battle.

“Anna was infectious, good looking, bubbly and would get noticed when she walked into a room. She was tall with blonde hair and blue eyes.

“She would be the life and soul of the party, happy to socialise and have a drink,” Ed added.

The 36-year-old said the pair met in Reading on a police firearms course in the summer of 2010.

“Everyone in the police fancied Anna and knew who she was because she was an attractive woman and a really nice person.

“Throughout Anna’s treatment, she was supported by Victoria’s Promise. They supplied her with counselling, specialist beauty treatments, and cleaning services.

“Anna got the most out of Affinity workshops, bringing together young women going through similar journeys and challenges. These get togethers remove the feeling of isolation, reduce fear and increase positivity and empowerment,” Ed added.

The father-of-one is rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean for Victoria’s Promise in over a year’s time with three of his friends.

Out of their £100,000 target, the charity has raised £5,492 by 137 supporters.