Welsh dairy family raise £75,000 for cancer charities

A rural community in west Wales has come together to raise funds in excess of £75,000 for ‘In It With Isaac’.

The initiative was set up by dairy farming family Simon, Sian, Isaac and Elliott Davies of Castellhyfryd Holsteins, Carmarthenshire, to support cancer charities that have helped Isaac go through cancer treatment.

See also: Farmers’ marathon feats raise thousands for charities

The events on Sunday 24 August included a rugby match between Crymych RFC Youth and Pembrokeshire RFC Youth, refereed by farmer and ex-international referee Nigel Owens.

There was also a “promise” auction, which included donations such as sexed semen and cow brushes and a bicycle ride from Carreg Waldo on the Preseli mountains to Crymych.

© Evie Tomlinson

The day was held to say “thank you” and support various organisations which have helped 18-year-old Isaac Davies go through cancer treatment.

Sian Davies said the family were overwhelmed by the support they have had – not just for the charity event, which was sponsored and supported by Pembrokeshire Creamery and Blas y Tir, but through the course of Isaac’s treatment.

“We knew something wasn’t right at the Royal Welsh Show last year. Isaac was unusually tired and just not himself and it took a while to get proper diagnoses,” explains mum Sian.

Unexpected news

Isaac was captain of Crymych RFC Youth and a keen young farmer; he was a fit, active and a generally healthy young man and his diagnosis was a devastating shock to him and his family, friends and the local community.

“He was playing rugby on the Thursday night and by early Friday morning he was in A & E where he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

“I think we’re still in shock now, but had great support from so many organisations and people over the past 10 months, it has been amazing,” she told Farmers Weekly.

© Evie Tomlinson

Isaac has received great care at Glangwili Hospital, the Heath, University College London Hospital, Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital, and from the Teenage Cancer Trust, Sandville Self Help Centre in Porthcawl and other organisations and charities.

“In It With Isaac is a way to raise funds for the organisations helping Isaac on his road to recovery and to ensure the organisations are there to support others in future.

“We know he’s not the first to go through this and sadly he won’t be last, so we just want to make sure they’re supported,” Sian added.

Road to recovery

Following the surgery, Isaac was unable to speak or see, and he hasn’t walked since November last year.

“We’ve had a clear MRI scan and are waiting for the results of a second scan now,” Sian explained.

“He is doing really well and he’s physically strong enough, but can’t walk because of the balance issue after the surgery.

“Coming from a farming background, he’s used to hard work and he’s working hard on his physio, and we hope he’ll make a good recovery,” she added.

Sporting heroes support

During his treatment, messages of support from rugby legend Nigel Owens, former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, and Wales rugby union captain Jac Morgan have kept Isaac going.

“Those messages coming through were a massive boost for Isaac and I don’t think people realise how important they are and how much it means,” said Sian.