THE loving wife of a seriously ill Aberystwyth man who will spend Christmas away from his family as he battles an aggressive form of cancer has asked people to send “happy letters” to read to him every day.

Karen Bradley wants people to send positive stories and letters for her husband and father-of-two Phil, 48, who was diagnosed with the disease in June.

This week Phil, who retired earlier this year from his job with Tai Ceredigion, is due to go into isolation in Singleton Hospital in Swansea “for some time” to receive another round of chemotherapy and the final part of his stem cell transplant.

He will miss Christmas and New Year with his family, as well as Karen’s 40th birthday.

“It’s been the biggest blow of our year for him to face Christmas, New Year and my 40th birthday in hospital,” Karen said.

“There have been lots of tears shed by us both at the thought of him stuck in isolation, the children without their dad, and me on my own over the festive period - let alone the fear of what’s ahead.”

Karen wants to turn those tears to laughter, however, and has urged people to help by writing positive letters to keep Phil’s spirits up.

“I am a firm believer in the power of positivity and not dwelling on the negative,” Karen said.

“I’m calling this ‘Letters of Laughter’. I want Phil to receive letters every day.”

To send letters and stories to Phil, post them to: 3 Farmhouse Stables, Capel Dewi, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3HR or BMTU, Ward 11, Singleton Hospital, ABM UHB, Sketty Lane, Swansea SA2 8QA; or email [email protected]

See this week’s Aberystwyth paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now