A MAN from Rhuddlan has said a “thank you card is not enough” to show his appreciation to the people who have supported him during the toughest year of his life.

Resident farmers of Rhuddlan have rallied around John Saunders Davies, 53, 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 September 14, he will be holding an event called Behind the Gates, which he’s organised with help from friends in the village he was raised in.

John Saunders DaviesJohn Saunders Davies (Image: Submitted)

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Billed as a celebration of farming over the past 80 years, activities also include a tractor run to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan, 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.

John said: “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.

He added: “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 (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, which belongs 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 farmers in a self-care cause.

He said: “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 heart-breaking.

“Farmers need more support and if I can signpost people to support services for mental health, and cancer, too, I honestly believe this event will save lives.”

John Saunders DaviesJohn Saunders Davies (Image: Submitted)

Initially, John delayed making a doctor’s appointment, as he put his symptoms down to stress.

But he finally went last August, five months after first experiencing symptoms.

He said: “I honestly thought the bad stomachs were me being worried because work was quiet.

“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.”

John said the event has everything for a fun family day out, with activities including a farmers’ market, a “grass to milk” demonstration, and a challenger sled pull.

Tenovus Cancer Care will have a stall at the event, and all of the proceeds it receives will go towards funding its services, which includes the sort of counselling which helped John, too.