John, 53, believes a “thank you card is not enough” to show his appreciation to people who have supported him during the toughest year of his life.
Resident farmers of rural Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, rallied after doctors diagnosed him with bowel cancer which had spread to his liver last year.
Charities also stepped in to help John who was struggling with the fallout of having cancer, including Tenovus Cancer Care.
The agricultural fencing specialist now wants to give something back to the close-knit community he cherishes.
On 14 September, he will be holding an event called Behind the Gates he’s organised with help from friends in the village he was raised in.
Billed as a celebration of farming over the past 80 years, activities also include a Tractor Run to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd where John was treated. Proceeds will go to the hospital where he says he received “wonderful” care and life-saving surgery as well as to the charities who supported him.
But the main aim of the event is to potentially “save the lives” of people who have been there for him by spreading awareness of support services for mental health and cancer to them.
A thank you card is simply not enough for all the support I’ve received. I honestly don’t know how I would have coped without the help of so many wonderful people and services.
I lost my dad when I was 19 and had to grow up a bit. This community of farmers looked after me then, and they’ve done it again, despite their own difficulties.”
John hopes the event will also give a boost to the Rhuddlan community during turbulent times in the farming industry.
I’ve called the event Behind the Gates as no one knows what is going on when farmers shut the gates. I want to open those gates and show people there is support available.
I don’t think people understand just how much farmers are struggling. But they (the farmers) don’t talk about it – they just keep it all inside and try to be strong.”
The event will be held at Pengwern Farm belonging to dairy farmers, Huw and Helen Jones, on land they are donating free of charge.
John sees the event as a unique opportunity to unite local farmers in a self-care cause.
We are a typical Welsh-speaking farming community with farmers who work hard and do such an important job, but it sometimes feels we are forgotten.
I have lost two friends from suicide over the past few years. It’s been heartbreaking.
Farmers need more support and If I can signpost people to support services for mental health - cancer too - I honestly believe this event will save lives.”
John started planning the event in February. He is determined it will go ahead despite planned surgery.
I want to make people aware of cancer symptoms and the importance of going to the doctor to check things out if something isn’t right.
If it wasn’t for my Emma, my partner, begging me to go last year the outcome could have been far worse.”
John delayed making an appointment with the doctor as he put his symptoms down to stress.
He finally went last August, five months after first experiencing symptoms.
I honestly thought the bad stomachs were me being worried because work was quiet.
My doctor diagnosed mild depression because of how things were but sent me for blood tests. I also did a stool test.
My bloods came back fine but there was concern over “quite a lot” of blood in my stools.
I went for tests in Glan Clwyd in October. The consultant told me I had bowel cancer which had spread to my liver. It was a total shock.
Emma took it badly. That person who cares for you is thinking it’s the end.
You hear of so many people dying from cancer, not those who survive. Panic sets in. I was just trying to be strong.”
Being able to talk to a counsellor at Tenovus Cancer Care has made all the difference to John.
He was able to access six free counselling sessions following a referral from the hospital.
Tammy (my Counsellor) understood entirely what I was going through. I could talk to someone independently of everyone else who knew me, and she was good.
She advised me to make myself a priority, which was hard to do, but I knew I needed to put my own health first. To concentrate on me.”
John was also able to access financial support from other charities also supporting the event and including RABI.
“I’ve always worked – taken great pride in my work - I’d never claimed anything before and been self- sufficient. The financial help I’ve received from charities was a massive help.”
John is as positive as he can be about his future.
I’m told my outcome should be good as I’m fit and live in the country where there’s plenty of clean, fresh air. Healthy living helps.
Whatever happens now, I just want to give back to people who helped me now, to look after them like they’ve helped me.
I have already encouraged people I know here to do the bowel cancer kit test that’s sent in the post.
There are so many people to thank. I don’t leave anyone out. I am so just so grateful to everyone.”
John says the event has everything for a fun family day out with activities that includes a Farmers Market, Grass to Milk Demonstration and a Challenger Sled Pull.
Tenovus Cancer Care will have a stall at the event.
All proceeds we gratefully receive will go towards funding our vital services, including counselling who have helped John.
