Pause for Hope is holding its third annual bilingual service in Lampeter with TV entertainer Roy Castle’s wife as guest speaker.

Pause for Hope is a national charity that enables prayer services throughout the UK for all those affected by cancer, from patients and carers to medics and health professionals, all are welcome of any faith, or none.

The idea to bring the service to Wales was from Lampeter resident Steven Holmes after his wife Jane was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer at the age of 43, as well as a subsequent meeting with Prof Ray Donnelly (founder and president of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and founder and trustee of Pause for Hope).  

The event takes place on 20 October at St Peter’s Church, with Fiona Castle OBE, Ben Lake MP, the Lampeter mayor, Ysgol Bro Pedr and the churches in the area.

Steven said: “After a cancer diagnosis of someone close, everything changes and you are thrown into an unknown world of tests, results and medical terminology while trying to come to terms with the future and the meaning of a terminal diagnosis.  

“One of the stand-out positives was from the support of the community in terms of coming together to help us both through difficult times.

“It was a truly amazing response with lots of events and ideas for charity fundraising, messages of support from friends as well as strangers, prayer groups from far afield and a generally proactive, practical and positive response from everyone.  Jane’s incredibly positive attitude also helped and has inspired everyone who has met her.”

Steven added: “After speaking to others in similar situations, I learnt how important ‘Faith’ is to many, in helping staying positive and providing community in different forms. It was with this in mind that I wanted to bring a church service together, for all beliefs or none, that would be open to those affected by cancer, whether it be a survivor, friend or family, carer or medical professional.  

“The Pause for Hope services which were set-up in 1999 by Prof Donnelly seemed the ideal model and so the seed was sown.  Since the first service of its kind in Wales in 2017, we have had an absolutely great response and involvement from a lot of the local churches, local school, charities as well as individuals.  

“We have kept the services upbeat and positive, which works really well when including the local school children and underlines the idea that cancer affects all of us in some way.  

“This year we are delighted to have the involvement of Fiona Castle OBE, wife of the late Roy Castle, the entertainer who died 25 years ago of lung cancer.  She has supported the charity which bears his name (Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation) from the beginning as well as being very open about her faith and the strength it gave through the very public journey of Roy’s diagnosis and death.”

“This year’s Pause for Hope service looks to continue the successes and support of previous years and hope that it can touch the lives of many, going through difficult times, by giving hope and community in the form of the Pause for Hope service.”

For more information on the Lampeter service, phone Steven on 07821 524060 or email him on [email protected]