Andrea and Paul Annear were childhood sweethearts who warmed the hearts of the nation when they tied the knot in 2004
The wife of Britain’s first ever married Down’s Syndrome couple has died aged 45.
Andrea and Paul Annear, 54, were childhood sweethearts who warmed the hearts of the nation when they tied the knot in 2004 – making history as the first Down’s Sydrome Couple to do so.
Sadly Andrea, who had a known heart condition related to her disability, has died at the age of 45.
The couple first met when they were both sent to Ormerod Children’s Home in the Lancashire resort of St Annes on Sea.
Andrea was just three years old and Paul, who had been raised in a foster home, arrived at Ormerod when he was 13, when his elderly foster mother was unable to cope.
The couple became good friends and eventually fell in love.
Andrea doted on Paul but in 1996 she was moved out to a secure community care house, while Paul remained at Ormerod.
They fought to keep seeing each other.
Social workers were stunned when Andrea announced they wanted to marry.
They believed the duo were both “too innocent” to understand marriage vows and the legalities of marriage and were also worried about the implications of a pregnancy.
The childhood sweethearts persisted with their dream, however, and would not be fobbed off with a blessing – they were determined to have a full white wedding.
A blessing was held for the couple in 1996, but that was not enough for Andrea and Paul, who are committed Christians.
They continued to save for gold rings, a suit and wedding dress for a full church wedding.
For months social workers would not relent but an intervention by the Ormerod director Sue Sharples worked.
She said at the time: “We had long talks with Andrea and Paul and the vicar. They were both in love- that was obvious.
“Andrea had birth control injections because there were fears her weak heart could not stand the rigours of any pregnancy.”
The couple married in September 2004 amid massive publicity.
Andrea, then aged 37, told the Daily Mail in 2006 after the wedding: “I love Paul this much. Now he is my husband I am so proud.
“I know that some people say we should not have got married, but why not? We love each other very much and we look after each other.”
The couple relied on a daily carer to check they were coping with domestic tasks, but lived together as any other couple.
Lancaster MP Mark Menzies a patron of a local trust which supports adults with learning difficulties – The Ormerod Trust- said: “I a very sad to hear of the death of Andrea who was a well known figure in the town.
“She and Paul were the first couple with Down’s to marry in this country.
“I know they were inseparable ever since the wedding and this must a difficult time for Paul.”
It is understood Andrea died from heart problems which she had suffered from since birth.
