Kayley Stead, 27, celebrated her special day with her friends and family after finding out her boyfriend of four years would not be there. She has received more than £7,000 in donations
A jilted bride who decided to carry on with her wedding even though her groom didn't show up has been "overwhelmed" by the support she received from strangers. Kayley Stead, 27, celebrated her special day with her friends and family after finding out her boyfriend of four years, Kallum Norton, would not be there. Speeches were still read, professional photos taken and she had her first dance with her brothers and her dad. Kayley's friends rallied around the woman who came out of the wedding single, with her best pal and bridesmaid, Jordie Cullen, setting up a GoFundMe page to try and get back some of the costs of the celebrations. The page was open just a week ago but donations have already passed £7,630. Before planning her wedding - which cost £12,000 - Kayley had been saving for a house and has said she plans to put the money raised towards her dream home, the Manchester Evening News reports.
"I couldn't begin to thank people enough for the kindness they have shown since my story came out," she said. "Seeing your kind words has carried me through this challenging journey and the fact that people have donated is astounding and I thank every single person who has.
"Thank you to everyone who has taken their time to read my story. Just remember that moments like this don't define you, but how you overcome it does." The woman appeared on This Morning yesterday wearing her wedding dress and was given an unexpected gift by hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
She received £2,000 to go towards a "honeymoon" and said she was grateful about it. Talking about her friend on the GoFundMe page, Jordie wrote: "Kayley has a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. She always puts others needs before her own. "Kayley is the most selfless person anyone could meet and has grown up having to look after and care for her mum.
