A MAN who is organising the wedding of a dying Worcester transsexual has defiantly hit back at the online trolls abusing him for helping the couple.

Malvin Hobbs claims he has received death threats, hurtful comments and personal criticism after agreeing to put on a special day for brain tumour sufferer Parma Bertoli and her fiancé Stephanie Nickles.

He has been left “very angry” by the web-based bullying but wants people to focus on the positives of a story about the community helping a couple in their hour of need.

“All I am trying to do is marry two people, which is a really positive story”, said Mr Hobbs.

“The support we’ve received from people offering goods and services for the big day has been overwhelming.

“But it is not about me or anyone else lending a hand – it is about a couple in love who want to get married before it is too late.”

The event organiser from Malvern however has been shocked at the prejudices of some people in Worcestershire.

He said: “It is getting ridiculous – I am furious.

“My life has been threatened and I have had to call the police.

“If this story had been about a heterosexual couple there would have been no problems at all, but because they are transsexual there have been nasty comments.

“It is awful to think that the community treats people like this.

“I have never known so much negativity in my whole life and there has been more from Worcester than I ever could have imagined.

“I am having to protect Stephanie and Parma from the online abuse because it would deeply upset them.”

Mr Hobbs, who is the managing director of Malvern-based events company Events Xcellence Ltd, added that he wants to set the record straight on why he decided to help organise the wedding.

“People have claimed I’ve only got involved for publicity, which is not true”, he said.

“People have said ‘how dare you forget the poverty-stricken in Worcester’ but I am the chairman of the carnival, which will be supporting five charities this year.

“I offered to help but I don’t expect to be judged. People think they can run me down but I will help who I want to help.”

Mr Hobbs organised the white wedding for the transsexual couple in just 18 hours, after being moved to tears by the couple’s appeal for assistance in Your Worcester News.

The once-in-a-lifetime ceremony will see Parma Bertoli, who has less than 12 months to live, marry Stephanie Nickles in traditional white dresses in February.

It will be a day the couple from Warndon, Worcester, never thought would arrive.

Due to a lack of friend and funds the pair, who fell in love as men before both having sex change operations, feared illness would separate them before they could tie the knot – but are now “overjoyed” about the upcoming wedding.

Ms Bertoli told Your Worcester News in early January: “I feel stunned and overjoyed.

“So many people have rallied around to help us in our predicament and we both want to express our thanks and gratitude for their tremendous support.

“The wedding is long over-due. We had bought rings in the past but had to sell them due to financial problems – but now can look forward to a brilliant day.”