'I want my stepdad to marry my mum before he dies'

A teenage singer has taken to social media and fundraising platforms to call for support to enable her terminally ill stepdad to marry her mum.

Macy ONeill, who performs as Macy O, said Antony "Shorty" Shorter and mum Naomi have not been able to afford to get married because of his illness.

Last September, music producer Shorty was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer, which has since spread to his lungs, back and shoulder.

Doctors recently told him he was unlikely to live beyond Christmas so Macy, from Leebotwood, Shropshire, said she hopes he can marry her mum Naomi so she can become "one of Shorty's true daughters," and he can "feel as comfortable as possible".

The 18-year-old said her music career has been massively helped by Shorty, with whom she has set up record label Moose Records.

The work has enabled Macy O to perform at the O2 in London and the Cavern Club in Liverpool, and helping her become a BBC Introducing artist.

The singer-songwriter has also been frequently seen busking around the West Midlands and had the chance to perform with Sam Ryder and Kaiser Chiefs.

Along with working with his stepdaughter, Shorty has been using his music studio to help other young artists.

Naomi, 57 and Shorty, 56 plan to get married at St. Mary's Church in Leebotwood and have the reception at their home, in case her stepdad's condition makes him too tired.

Macy O said the family hope to raise £1,800 on GoFundMe, but would need to raise £3,000 to afford everything.

"We have stripped back the budget everywhere we can, cutting corners and asking favours," the musician said.

"We have a company called Dangerous Sheep who have given us a fabulous deal on a marquee, food, drinks, a stage, tables and chairs."

The artist added it has made her "realise the power of social media," as they are already very close to their goal.

"The first video I made promoting it, he was in talking about his own condition," she said.

"I can't imagine how he feels. I am so proud of him for being this brave."

She added the support the family have received already has been "overwhelming" and "unexpected."

"It's just kind of like come out the woodwork and you are like, oh my gosh, you are just so selfless," Macy said.

"It has particularly hit my mum. She's been very shocked by the amount of people who have given and they cannot express their gratitude enough already."

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