Rhuddlan cancer fundraiser Behind the Gate raises over £16k

Behind the Gate was the brainchild of John Saunders Davies. The agricultural fencing specialist was diagnosed with bowel cancer that has now spread to his liver.

As a result he now faces a terminal diagnosis. John has pledged to devote himself to saving lives by spreading the message that those within the farming community should ensure they take potential symptoms - like blood in their stools - seriously and get tested regularly.

As a result he came up with Behind the Gate - an agricultural festival inspired by the idea that we should all take notice of what is going on 'behind the gate'.

"In farming we close the gate to protect what matters to us," he said. "But closing the gate on our health concerns to protect our families is no good. We have to be more open and more willing to go the the doctor with our concerns. 

"Catching cancer early is crucial."

Behind the Gate took place at Pengwern Farm in Rhuddlan, which was donated to the event for free. In addition many local agricultural businesses and health charities came together to help bring John's vision to life including Denbigh Rotary Club.

The spectacular tractor pull was popular at Behind the Gate. (Image: Andrew Mutimer) Farmers and agricultural display teams from across the UK took part, with epic tractor pulls, a tractor run to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and events and demonstrations for all the family.

There were also stalls there, with charities including Macmillan Cancer and the North Wales Air Ambulance able to raise money on the day.

So far the event has generated £16,500 - ad the fund closes this week so there is not much time left to contribute.

Eight official charities - Tenovus Cancer Charity, Cancer Research Wales, Vale of Clwyd Mind, Tir Dewi Farm Support, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, the DPJ Foundation mental health farming charity, Gofal Dydd Y Waen Day Care and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Cancer Unit - will each benefit from the funds raised but John said it was about much more than money.

Precision control was required to score in Thomas Plant Hire's Digger Basketball at Behind the Gate. (Image: Andrew Mutimer) "The fundraising is vital of course," he said. "But what's really important is that so many people came along and enjoyed Behind the Gate and got to hear from the charities themselves.

"Getting our message out there is going to save lives and the buzz I've heard around since the event tells me that we really made an impact. Time will tell."

So successful was Behind the Gate that plans are already underway to make it an annual event.

Donations are open until Friday, September 27 and you can give by BACS via:

The Rotary Club of Denbigh. 

Account number: 61150162

Sort code: 40 19 12.

Ref: BTG Donations