A WHOLE shopping street in Chepstow will be holding a series of special events to help firefighter Stan Bevan win the biggest battle of his life.
For Stan, who is well known in the town and has worked with other brigades in the Wye Valley and the Forest, has an inoperable tumour which needs medication costing £1,500 a month.
And helping him to afford the chemotherapy, which is not available on the National Health, has become a crusade at Stan's station and a cause the rest of the town has taken up.
Stan's colleagues have already taken their kit off to pause for a saucy calendar which will hopefully go on sale to help fundraising, as well as holding sponsored ladder-climbs.
The photos for the special calendar were taken by Tracey Clements of Wye Valley Studios in Caldicot, and the search is on for a sponsor to print the project.
Meanwhile on July 15 all the shops in Moor Street are donating prizes for a grand draw and fun day with bands, a barbecue, face painting and street entertainment.
"I am giving a guitar, and the butcher is giving a side of lamb and all the other shops are giving something different," said organiser Carol Mutlow of Hannah's Music.
She appealed for entertainers in the area who might like to help to contact her on 01291 627122.
Stan's wife Eve told the Review she had been overwhelmed by the support in the town.
"I just can't find the words to thank them," she said. "And the fire crews too – he has had lots of links with the men in Caldicot and Lydney, too, and they are all trying to help. It is so wonderful."