John's cancer story inspires Behind the Gate festival in Rhuddlan

John Saunders Davies is an agricultural fencing specialist who - like many people - noticed some unusual symptoms including blood in his stool but put off going to the doctor, writing them off as stress.

But after partner Emma pushed for him to get checked out he discovered he had bowel cancer. By this time it had also spread to his liver. Despite responding well to chemotherapy  and an operation to remove the cancer, its spread had gone too far.

"They told me I may only have five years," he said. "But that is why getting this message out there is so important to me." 

The diagnosis inspired John to encourage people - in the farming community and beyond - to look 'Behind the Gate' - and the idea for a fundraiser was born.

Pengwern Farm on Bodelwyddan Road will host the Behind the Gate festival on Saturday, September 14 from 8am-6pm, with fun events for all the family including a 19-mile tractor run to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, a challenger sled pull, farm machinery displays, kids activities and live stage shows. Find more details here.

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But there will be a serious message at the heart of it, with Ysbyty Glan Clwyd's Cancer Unit, Tenovus, Cancer Research Wales, Vale of Clwyd Mind and RABI - the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution - groups which have supported John since his diagnosis - all central to proceedings. 

"It's not about me, it's about helping as many people as I can," said John. "In rural communities we are always told to close the gate - because it protect those things that are important to us. But when it comes to health closing your own gate is not helpful.

"That's what many of us do to protect ourselves and those around us but in fact we need to open the gate a little. Go and get the test, find out the information and share it with those closest to you so you can deal with it. Show them what's 'Behind the Gate'.

"I was speaking to a friend after the diagnosis who couldn't believe I had cancer. When I explained to him that I'd found blood in my stool and that had been the sign he went quiet. He told me he had a stool test at home he had been putting off taking. 

"That conversation spurred him to take that test and that's what I want to do. Share my experience to help save as many lives as possible."

John Saunders Davies' Behind the Gate event will feature a tractor run, agricultural events and family fun activities - along with a serious message to take care of your health. (Image: Paul Greenwood Photography)

The event has brought the farming community across the area together in support and John says he is hugely grateful to everyone who has made Behind the Gate possible.

"It's going to be an amazing day and I can't believe so many people have come together to make it happen," said John. "Everyone has been so kind and rallied round to turn this into something I never expected it to be. I planned to just have a tractor run to raise some money, but it has become huge.

"Huw and Helen giving us the use of Pengwern Farm and all that space is incredible and the Denbigh Rotary Club had also been hugely supportive as have Rhuddlan Town Council, who helped us get the insurance and licenses in place. Thomas Plant too have thrown their support behind it, there's so many people to thank.  

"So many people have come together to make this event and support those organisations that have been so good to me and others, supporting our treatment and our mental health.

"Tenovus have been fantastic, RABI were so supportive too and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd - I cannot thank everyone who works in that cancer unit enough - they are phenomenal.

"I just hope that this event helps people to see that sharing and being more open about your health is a positive thing and it can actually end up saving your life."