A dream village wedding
PONTEFRACT: Generous Sharon and David Hoggart travelled to Mombasa clutching suitcases packed with 35 bridesmaid dresses and 20 page boy outfits for their big day on January 18.
A GENEROUS couple who set up a school in a deprived Kenyan village have tied the knot - with all 55 of their pupils in the wedding party.
Sharon Kerr, 42, and David Hoggart, 51, travelled to Mombasa clutching suitcases packed with 35 bridesmaid dresses and 20 page boy outfits for their big day last month.
The couple set up the school and orphanage in 2008 after being inspired during a visit the previous year and in memory of the new Mrs Hoggart’s sister, Karen Close, who died from cancer in 2007.
The couple also set up the Little Hope shop, Barnsley Road, Moorthorpe, to help pay for the orphanage and teacher’s bills.
Mrs Hoggart said: “My dream was always to get married on a beach and now that we have the school in Kenya it’s such a special place to us.
“The kids have been so loving to us so we thought we would do it over there so they could be involved. We have seen some of them growing up and they get so excited when they see us pulling up on a bike or taxi.
“The Massai were all waiting for us and were clapping and singing. It’s all so different over there. The party started before we even got married.
“After posing for some photos we drove through the village where our school is and were greeted by four buses full of pupils, parents and villagers who shared our special day with us.”
The couple enjoyed camel rides and a feast of goat and rice with more than 300 local villagers before being serenaded with traditional dancers, acrobats and a local band on the beach.
The villagers also perfected Mrs Hoggart’s hair and make-up for the big event.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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