Couple tie knot at hospital after groom in life-changing motorbike accident
Roddy and Polly McDonald were married in front of friends and family at the Ninewells Hospital chapel on June 7.
Roddy was a patient at the Major Trauma Centre at the time of the wedding after being involved in a motorcycle crash that left him with a number of serious injuries, including double breaks to his arm and leg and a fractured spine.
The couple were originally due to get married in Dundee on the same date in front of close family and friends who had travelled from across the UK and as far away as Australia and New Zealand. NHS Tayside Roddy was a patient at the Major Trauma Centre at the time of the wedding.
Due to the seriousness of Roddy's injuries, the couple were forced to change their original plans.
Staff from the Major Trauma Centre and the Spiritual Care team helped Roddy and Polly arrange a wedding in the hospital chapel.
The newlywed has since left Ninewells Hospital and is recovering at home in Perthshire.
Roddy said: The whole experience really was incredible. The hospital staff were outstanding, every single one of them went above and beyond to help us.
'We postponed the wedding after the accident as there was no way that we were going to be able to do it the way we planned but then someone mentioned that there was a chapel in the hospital and that we could get married there. We had so many of our friends and family here and we just took the opportunity to go for it. It was very special, Polly looked beautiful in her dress and I even managed to wear my kilt.
'I am very grateful to everyone who helped us. The care, the banter, the compassion shown by everyone was exceptional. I know that I have a long road ahead in recovery but I am a positive person and I will keep going forward. I know that I am very lucky to be alive and I am so happy that I got to marry my beautiful wife on the date we originally planned.'
Polly added: 'It was a really beautiful ceremony, it was obviously different to what we had planned, but I was so grateful that we were able to do it. Everyone was so emotional. Roddy is my absolute soulmate, and ours is a real love story. NHS Tayside Due to the seriousness of Roddy's injuries, the couple were forced to change their original plans.
'It really was wonderful, I feel like we've beaten the odds. At one point, I really thought I was going to lose him so to be able to marry him on the day we had planned was really special.
'All of the staff we came across were just incredible, from the consultants to nurses to the physios to the domestic staff, everyone has been lovely and were so supportive. The nurses in the Major Trauma Centre even decorated Roddy's bed with Just Married balloons when we got back to the ward. We are so grateful for everything they did for us.'
East of Scotland Major Trauma Network manager, Fiona Hutcheson, said it was 'privilege' to support the couple during their special day.
She said: 'Everyone in the team would like to extend our congratulations and well wishes to Roddy and Polly.
'We were privileged to support Roddy and his family during his time in hospital and were delighted to help him and his new wife have their special day.
'We wish Roddy the best in his recovery and wish the happy couple lots of happiness together as they begin married life.'
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STV News
10-07-2025
- STV News
Couple tie knot at hospital after groom in life-changing motorbike accident
A couple tied the knot in a hospital in Dundee after the groom was involved in a life-changing motorcycle accident. Roddy and Polly McDonald were married in front of friends and family at the Ninewells Hospital chapel on June 7. Roddy was a patient at the Major Trauma Centre at the time of the wedding after being involved in a motorcycle crash that left him with a number of serious injuries, including double breaks to his arm and leg and a fractured spine. The couple were originally due to get married in Dundee on the same date in front of close family and friends who had travelled from across the UK and as far away as Australia and New Zealand. NHS Tayside Roddy was a patient at the Major Trauma Centre at the time of the wedding. Due to the seriousness of Roddy's injuries, the couple were forced to change their original plans. Staff from the Major Trauma Centre and the Spiritual Care team helped Roddy and Polly arrange a wedding in the hospital chapel. The newlywed has since left Ninewells Hospital and is recovering at home in Perthshire. Roddy said: The whole experience really was incredible. The hospital staff were outstanding, every single one of them went above and beyond to help us. 'We postponed the wedding after the accident as there was no way that we were going to be able to do it the way we planned but then someone mentioned that there was a chapel in the hospital and that we could get married there. We had so many of our friends and family here and we just took the opportunity to go for it. It was very special, Polly looked beautiful in her dress and I even managed to wear my kilt. 'I am very grateful to everyone who helped us. The care, the banter, the compassion shown by everyone was exceptional. I know that I have a long road ahead in recovery but I am a positive person and I will keep going forward. I know that I am very lucky to be alive and I am so happy that I got to marry my beautiful wife on the date we originally planned.' Polly added: 'It was a really beautiful ceremony, it was obviously different to what we had planned, but I was so grateful that we were able to do it. Everyone was so emotional. Roddy is my absolute soulmate, and ours is a real love story. NHS Tayside Due to the seriousness of Roddy's injuries, the couple were forced to change their original plans. 'It really was wonderful, I feel like we've beaten the odds. At one point, I really thought I was going to lose him so to be able to marry him on the day we had planned was really special. 'All of the staff we came across were just incredible, from the consultants to nurses to the physios to the domestic staff, everyone has been lovely and were so supportive. The nurses in the Major Trauma Centre even decorated Roddy's bed with Just Married balloons when we got back to the ward. We are so grateful for everything they did for us.' East of Scotland Major Trauma Network manager, Fiona Hutcheson, said it was 'privilege' to support the couple during their special day. She said: 'Everyone in the team would like to extend our congratulations and well wishes to Roddy and Polly. 'We were privileged to support Roddy and his family during his time in hospital and were delighted to help him and his new wife have their special day. 'We wish Roddy the best in his recovery and wish the happy couple lots of happiness together as they begin married life.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Daily Record
Scots couple tie the knot in hospital after groom injured in life-changing motorbike crash
"At one point, I really thought I was going to lose him so to be able to marry him on the day we had planned was really special." A Perthshire couple proved that love conquers all by tying the knot in hospital after the groom was involved in a life-changing motorcycle accident. Roddy and Polly McDonald, who live near Coupar Angus, were married in front of friends and family in the chapel at Ninewells Hospital in a very special and emotional ceremony. Roddy was a patient at the Major Trauma Centre at the time of the wedding after being involved in a motorcycle crash that left him with a number of serious injuries, including double breaks to his arm and leg and a fractured spine leaving his bride-to-be fearing she might lose him. The couple were originally due to get married in Dundee on the same date in front of close family and friends, who had travelled from across the UK and as far away as Australia and New Zealand. Unfortunately, due to the seriousness of Roddy's injuries, they were forced to change their original plans. Determined to help the couple get their special day, staff from the Major Trauma Centre and the Spiritual Care team at Ninewells Hospital swung into action to help Roddy and Polly arrange a wedding, on June 7, in the hospital chapel. Roddy has now left Ninewells and is recovering at home. The support worker at the community hub in Burrelton said: 'The whole experience really was incredible. 'The hospital staff were outstanding, every single one of them went above and beyond to help us. 'We postponed the wedding after the accident as there was no way that we were going to be able to do it the way we planned but then someone mentioned that there was a chapel in the hospital and that we could get married there. 'We had so many of our friends and family here and we just took the opportunity to go for it. It was very special, Polly looked beautiful in her dress and I even managed to wear my kilt. 'I am very grateful to everyone who helped us. 'The care, the banter, the compassion shown by everyone was exceptional. I know that I have a long road ahead in recovery but I am a positive person and I will keep going forward. 'I know that I am very lucky to be alive and I am so happy that I got to marry my beautiful wife on the date we originally planned.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Polly added: 'It was a really beautiful ceremony, it was obviously different to what we had planned but I was so grateful that we were able to do it. 'Everyone was so emotional. Roddy is my absolute soulmate and ours is a real love story. 'It really was wonderful, I feel like we've beaten the odds. At one point, I really thought I was going to lose him so to be able to marry him on the day we had planned was really special. 'All of the staff we came across were just incredible, from the consultants to nurses to the physios to the domestic staff, everyone has been lovely and were so supportive. 'The nurses in the Major Trauma Centre even decorated Roddy's bed with Just Married balloons when we got back to the ward. We are so grateful for everything they did for us.' Fiona Hutcheson, East of Scotland Major Trauma Network manager, said, 'Everyone in the team would like to extend our congratulations and well wishes to Roddy and Polly. 'We were privileged to support Roddy and his family during his time in hospital and were delighted to help him and his new wife have their special day. 'We wish Roddy the best in his recovery and wish the happy couple lots of happiness together as they begin married life.' 'It was a very special day and everyone had a tear in their eye because you could see how happy they were together. ' Congratulations to them both.'
Daily Record
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- Daily Record
Kirkcudbright care home resident celebrates 100th birthday with his family
A special party was held at Merse House to celebrate Roddy Stitt's milestone. A Kirkcudbright care home resident recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Four generations of the same family got together at Merse House on Saturday to celebrate Roddy Stitt's milestone. Staff at the care home decorated a room for the party and young piano accordionist Ryan came along to play a few tunes and help Roddy reminisce about his years of playing in Jimmy Wilson's band. The three youngest great grandsons, Reuben, Aspen and Denver, were on hand to blow out birthday cake candles – and the undoubted highlight of the day was a card from King Charles and Queen Camilla. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Roddy was born in Crawick near Sanquhar and lived in Castle Douglas with his wife, Margaret, and two daughters. He managed the hardware shop. Due to ill health he moved into Merse House in February after spending a few weeks in Dumfries Infirmary. Staff at the care home have taken good care of Roddy since he moved in and enjoyed helping him prepare for his big birthday. He's the oldest resident there and staff have got to know him well even though he has lived there for less than four months.
