A TERMINALLY-ILL cancer patient has had his plans to marry before he dies ruined by heartless thieves.

Michael Kwiatkowski, 31, of Ingleton House, off Lindsey Avenue, Acomb, planned to marry girlfriend Alana Phillips, 17, next week after being diagnosed as having only six months to live.

But more than £1,000 saved for the wedding was stolen yesterday when thieves broke into his home.

"We had all the money saved and we were looking forward to being able to be married before he dies," said Alana.

"Nothing is going to stop us getting married, but I cannot see how we are going to manage it now." Police are investigating the break-in, which happened between 10.45am and 2.45pm.

The thieves are thought to have forced the door before stealing the money, along with credit cards and a stereo system.

"It's such a terrible thing to happen now," said Alana.

"We'd been saving hard and really looking forward to it, and now it's all gone. We just don't have any money.

"We so much want to get married before he goes, but it looks impossible now."

Michael's mother Anita said: "My son is dying of cancer, he has six months to live and this wedding was something he was able to really look forward to. Somebody has now come along and ruined it.

"It's been a hard enough time for him anyway, but the stress of this happening is just too much.

"The wedding will definitely still go ahead. Somehow we'll manage to make sure it doesn't get cancelled, but at the moment we're not sure how we're going to do it.

"I'm hoping that somebody will know something about this break-in and will let the police know who has done it."

Anybody with information is asked to contact York Police on 01904 631321.

couple

Updated: 09:50 Saturday, March 09, 2002