Marriage of Miracles

The happy couple, for whom love bloomed during their working relationship with the East Preston-based charity, were married in front of a packed congregation of well-wishers at the village s St Mary s Church, on Saturday.

And among the guests was actress Rula Lenska, fresh from appearing in television s EastEnders, and her family she is a committed supporter of Miracles.

Theo founded Miracles, which aims to help people who have nowhere else to turn, eight years ago and in August, 1999, Robert joined as chief executive.

His wife, Peta, had died the previous year, and on two occasions she had asked Theo, herself a widow, to take on the family if anything happened to her.

As a symbol of the closeness of the two families, Theo wore lilac at the wedding, the colour Peta wore at her and Robert s 25th anniversary party.

After many years of working for various charities and good causes, Theo now has her closest supporter right by her side. "We have become known as Mr and Mrs Miracles," she said.

Robert agreed: "You can t separate Miracles from the rest of our lives. We have a 'Hopeline that comes directly into our home, and wherever we are, we divert calls to our mobile number, too."

Not, however, for the duration of their honeymoon in Singapore close friend Sylvie Hutcheson is taking care of Miracles in their absence.

Robert s children, Alice and George, and Theo s son, Badger, were all closely involved in planning the ceremony, which was followed by a large gathering at Green Hedges, a seaside holiday home for children with leukaemia, another of Theo s worthwhile projects.

Former St Mary s vicar, Fr John Kimberley, a family friend, returned to conduct the wedding service. And in a typical gesture, Theo and Robert asked for donations to Miracles, instead of wedding presents.