Former M’sian Badminton Player Weds Partner From Hospital Bed Days Before Succumbing To Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken away too many lives. Unfortunately, our former Malaysian badminton legend, Benny Khaw, passed away after battling the virus for weeks.

As reported by Survey Comet, on 2 January, Benny was “unexpectedly rushed” to Kingston Hospital due to Covid-19 as he became acutely unwell and was treated at the hospital. He sadly passed away on 17 January at the age of 85.

But the tear-jerking story doesn’t end just there. Benny Khaw left behind his long-time partner of 25 years, Julie Cox, just nine days after they got married.

We are delighted that Benny and Julia who have been together for 25 years, were able to get married on our Acute Assessment Unit recently ??

Read their story: https://t.co/2Ce2i7BADT pic.twitter.com/YuSMKPMHUV

— Kingston Hospital (@KingstonHospNHS) January 21, 2021

Staff at the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) transformed the ward into a makeshift chapel so that Benny Khaw and Julia Cox could wed. Someone pass me a tissue, please! 

A spokesperson from Kingston Hospital said, “Benny and Julia met and fell in love playing badminton, 25 years ago and had been considering a wedding ever since.”

“At 1.30 pm on Friday 8 January, the Acute Assessment Unit at Kingston Hospital was transformed by staff to allow the couple to get married, with Julia’s two daughters, Eleanor Cox and Emma Perham, as witnesses.”

According to Mirror UK, Benny and Julia have three daughters and four grandchildren and this was both their second marriage.

Their daughter Eleanor expressed her gratitude and appreciation towards Benny by saying “Benny has been in our lives for many years and I consider him to be my dad. It was so special to be able to see mum and Benny get married – it was a wonderful celebration of the times they have shared.”

“We have all been blown away by the kindness shown by the staff at Kingston Hospital. In the midst of a pandemic, the staff pulled out all the stops to enable this to happen. They have been so incredibly kind to our family and really showed a level of care and compassion that is above and beyond what we expected,” she said.

Matron Liz Raderecht of Kingston Hospital’s AAU commented saying “It was an honour to plan and put together a special moment for Benny and Julia.”

Our thoughts are with Benny’s family. May he rest in peace. 

Also Read: 62yo Man in Perak Suddenly Falls Unconscious & Dies After Playing Badminton