Mark Garratt and his partner Debbie Kuca were ecstatic following the birth of their son Riley in August 2003.

The couple lived in Blewbury with Debbie's son and daughter from a previous marriage. Mark was a training and development manager and Debbie a chef with her own part-time jewellery making business.

But just a few months after the birth, Debbie fell ill with crippling stomach pains and went into hospital for tests.

Mr Garratt, now 45, said: "When a consultant told Debbie she had advanced ovarian cancer and would need a hysterectomy and chemotherapy, one of her biggest concerns was no longer being able to breastfeed Riley. She feared they might lose their bond."

But Debbie had no choice, and weaned her son off her breast milk so she could start the gruelling treatment. Mr Garratt added: "We both had hope, but Debbie knew that ovarian cancer is tough to beat. Her beautiful, long hair fell out and she struggled to look after Riley, which upset her.

"To try and take her mind of what was happening, I suggested a trip away. Debbie wanted to visit the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, and I said only if she married me in Las Vegas. She said yes and we booked it straight away."

The couple were relieved when doctors told them the chemo was working, but soon afterwards there was more shattering news.

Debbie's cancer had spread to her bowel and her consultant said there was nothing more he could do. She was admitted to the Sobell House hospice, in Oxford, when Riley was just two. Mr Garratt said: "Riley told me 'I don't like poorly mummy, I want better mummy'.

"But there was no way better mummy would be back and I had to cancel our holiday. Debbie prepared memory boxes and wrote letters for her children to read after her death. But she was still determined to get married. I told her a registrar could perform the ceremony in the hospice."

The couple married in front of their three children, Debbie's parents and Mark's mum in a highly emotional ceremony, on October 21, 2005. Mark said: "Even though Debbie was very ill, she looked beautiful. The nurses had bought her a dress."

Just three days after their wedding, Mark received a call from the hospice telling him to come quickly. Debbie was drifting in and out of consciousness.

He said: "The nurse told me that sometimes people need permission to let go. I said to her: 'It's OK love. You can go now, Riley and I will be all right.' Just a few minutes later she slipped away. I was crushed, but relieved her pain was over."

With huge support from Debbie's parents and his mother, Mark is bringing up Riley alone.

They now live in Long Hanborough and Debbie's older son lives with his father and her daughter with her grandparents - but they all see each other every week.

Mr Garratt said: "Riley is such a good boy. He talks about his mum a lot and sometimes I catch him staring into space.

"When I ask what he's thinking about he says 'my mummy'.

Mark has had a lot of support from the Way Foundation here in Oxfordshire (Way stands for Widowed and Young), a social group for people under 50 who have lost their partner.

He is also keen to encourage people to support research into ovarian cancer. He said: "Debbie was a keen fundraiser for cancer charities - the day before she was admitted to hospital for the last time, she held a coffee morning for Macmillan Cancer.

Mr Garratt said: "I would love, within the next 10 years, to see a test which could identify this deadly disease early."

The Eve Appeal, run by the Gynaecology Cancer Research Fund, supports ovarian cancer research. The appeal's fundraising red heart bracelets are on sale in Boots.

For more information, see www.eveappeal.org.uk For more information about the Way Foundaion, see www.wayfoundation.org.uk