Mum who heads Team Reece children's cancer charity celebrates her wedding day

Tuesday, 1 August 2023 07:17

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Lewis and Rachel Macfarlane celebrate their wedding day

A mum whose local charity has raised hundreds of thousands for children who have cancer has celebrated her wedding day.

Rachel O'Neil, who runs the Team Reece children's brain tumour and cancer charity, married Lewis Macfarlane in the Lake District over the weekend.

Rachel, from Overton, set up the charity alongside her son Reece Holt as he battled a rare brain tumour. Reece died in 2019, aged 13.

Team Reece has raised up to £250,000 since it began, making a huge difference to the lives of children who have cancer and their families.

Rachel and Lewis were married on Sunday at Broadoaks Country House in Troutbeck, Windermere.

She was given away on her special day by her youngest son Callum (below).

Rachel, who had gold roses in her bouquet in memory of Reece, said it was "an amazing weekend".

Music at the reception came from local band Sold to the Sky, who were joined by 16-year-old Callum and Oscar Spensley, Callum and Reece's best friend, who performed Nirvana and Foo Fighters songs with them.

Rachel said this was "the best wedding present ever".

"Those boys have been through so much and come through it the most amazing compassionate young men," she said.

"I was so proud of them. They rocked the place!"

Callum is pictured below singing at his mum's wedding celebration.

Sharon, a trustee of Team Reece, said it was a "weekend filled with fun, love and laughter" and "Reece would be so proud of his family and would have thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations".