A paramedic and a Met Police officer who got engaged after meeting on a 999 callout to a fried chicken shop are now planning their dream big day after winning a £20,000 wedding at Regent’s Park.
Paige Stride, who works for the London Ambulance Service, and Rob Wilkins caught each other’s eye while dealing with a bloody brawl that had broken out at the Chicken Valley takeaway in Maida Vale, north west London.
After they got chatting, their budding romance was almost thwarted when Rob got called away to another incident.
Having spotted his name badge, Paige conducted a social media ‘stalk’ the following day and found Rob on Facebook.
Paige Stride, who works for the London Ambulance Service, and Rob Wilkins caught each other’s eye while dealing with a bloody brawl that had broken out at the Chicken Valley takeaway in Maida Vale, north west London
Three years later Rob popped the question while on a weekend break to Devon, and the couple – who have both worked flat-out during the pandemic – are planning to tie the knot when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
Rob said there was definitely ‘chemistry in the air’ when they met, while Paige admitted he caught her eye when he took his body armour off.
‘Our eyes met briefly as we both tended to a patient,’ Rob told MyLondon. ‘For me, the first distinct memory of Paige is our eyes meeting both crouched on the floor over a patient and thinking, “Wow, her eyes are piercing”, just for a split second in between making sure that everyone was safe.’
As a result of the fight, Rob was covered in blood, so Paige gave him a cleaning wipe and he took off his armour so she could check him over.
Three years later Rob popped the question while on a weekend break to Devon, and the couple – who have both worked flat-out during the pandemic – are planning to tie the knot when Covid-19 restrictions after lifted
‘There was a definite energy in the air and I was quite expecting him to ask for my number, or at least hoping he would,’ she told MyLondon.
But at the crucial moment, Rob’s radio went off and the pair went their separate ways.
Paige told the BBC she was ‘a bit disappointed’ that their meeting came to an abrupt end, adding: ‘I must say the first thought was that he’s very handsome.’
Having clocked his name badge, Paige and her flatmates launched a social media search the following day and managed to track him down and send him a message – and Rob admitted he couldn’t believe his luck.
Paige told the BBC she was ‘a bit disappointed’ that their meeting at Chicken Valley (pictured) came to an abrupt end, adding that she was hoping he’d ask her for her number
Since the pandemic hit the couple – who have a combined 12 years of service on the frontline in the capital – have been working tirelessly, and have even had to social distance from each other at home at times
‘Initially when I saw the message I thought, who’s this? I don’t know a Paige Stride,’ he told the BBC.
‘[I] opened it up, saw the profile picture and thought, “God it’s that beautiful paramedic I met last night”.’
The pair went for a drink in Leicester Square and Soho for their first date and quickly became inseparable, moving in with each other after a year.
For her birthday in September, romantic Rob gave Paige a bracelet engraved with the coordinates for the chicken shop where they met – and then followed that up with an engagement ring.
‘I popped the question whilst we were on a little weekend away down at the seaside and yeah, it was magical,’ he said.
For her birthday in September, romantic Rob gave Paige a bracelet engraved with the coordinates for the chicken shop where they met
Since the pandemic hit the couple – who have a combined 12 years of service on the frontline in the capital – have been working tirelessly, and have even had to social distance from each other at home at times.
They also have to make an extra effort to spend time with each other as their shifts don’t always match up, and both are doing overtime to save for their wedding.
‘It’s been difficult, but as long as we keep supporting each other through it, we look after each other and make sure each one can decompress after a long hard day then that’s the best we can do,’ Rob said.
But all their Christmases came at once when they won a £20,000 wedding at Regent’s Park – a stone’s throw from where they first met – as a result of a campaign by Regent’s Events to thank key workers for their incredible work over the past year.
Paige said: ‘We have both been blown away by the support shown by our friends, family and colleagues from the emergency services. Winning and being recognised as deserving such an incredibly special venue for the day, we can’t believe we get to marry our soulmate so close to where we met, in front of all of our colleagues and family.’
While they haven’t yet decided on a menu, there’s a possibility it’ll feature chicken.