A COUPLE from Amesbury have been nominated for the Journal’s Win Your Wedding competition by a family friend who says they’re always “giving something back”.

Chris Higton and his partner Lauren Arlott, both 22, first met in 2009 while volunteering with the St John Ambulance.

Lauren works as a pharmacy assistant in Pewsey and Chris is as an ambulance care assistant at Salisbury District Hospital.

They also both volunteer for the Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital in Newton Tony and often foster animals for recuperation periods before helping to release them back to the wild.

Steve Hollis, who nominated the couple, said: “Chris had a difficult start in life, being born with tuberculosis.

His condition was one of grave concern and doctors thought he would not make it at one point.

“With the help of his parents and Great Ormond Street Hospital he made it to a point in his life where he started to give back to the system that helped save him.”

Chris said: “I spent a very long time in and out of hospital and they thought I’d never be able to live independently; I’ve proven them all wrong.”

He proposed to Lauren while they were on holiday in Australia in March this year.

The couple, who live with Chris’ parents in Westland Close, can only dream of a wedding with all their family and friends.

So far they have found it difficult and expensive to fix a date when their relatives from Canada, New Zealand and Australia can all attend.

Chris said: “To win the competition would take so much pressure off us both financially and we’d be able to get everyone in the same place.”

To vote for Christopher and Lauren call 09011 511 098 or text WEDDING 098 to 80360.