Family members, fellow churchgoers, and community members gathered to honor Pastor Robert Guanco. He tragically lost his life after a heavy festival sign collapsed on him in West Sussex. The funeral service celebrated the 41-year-old pastor’s deep commitment to his faith and the profound impact he made on everyone around him.
Guanco served as a pastor at Jesus the Living Water Church in Eastbourne, East Sussex. The fatal accident occurred on Friday, August 28, when severe winds blew over a large wooden festival sign reading “Everything’s Unmissable” at the Big Church Festival in Wiston Park, near Steyning. The collapse resulted in Guanco’s death and injuries to six other attendees, four of whom required hospital treatment.
Mourners Remember ‘Kuya Robert’
During the emotional funeral service, mourners remembered Guanco as a dedicated spiritual leader who consistently put others before himself. Friends and congregation members shared stories of his warmth. They noted that he was affectionately known as ‘Kuya Robert’-meaning ‘Big Brother Robert’ in Filipino.
Pastor Robert was more than a bible study leader, mentor, teacher and close friend. He was a beautiful soul who touched our lives profoundly. We all looked up to him because of his faith and dedication.
His widow, Isaeli, addressed the congregation during the service. She reflected on his approach to life, stating that he had never wasted a minute of his time on earth. She also expressed her deep gratitude for the overwhelming kindness and support shown to her and their daughter, Ellie, following the tragedy.
Wider Community and Church Impact
The tragedy sent shockwaves through Christian communities across the United Kingdom and beyond. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, released a statement expressing her shock and sadness over the incident. She offered prayers for Guanco’s family, the injured attendees, and festival organizers.
Organizers of the Big Church Festival, which launched in 2009 and stands as one of the UK’s largest Christian gatherings, immediately cancelled all remaining performances and worship sessions following the accident. They released a statement expressing that they were entirely heartbroken and devastated by the event.
In the wake of his passing, an online fundraising page was established to support Guanco’s wife and daughter. The campaign has since gathered nearly £242,000 from sympathetic donors and church members worldwide.
Ongoing Health and Safety Investigation
Authorities have continued their formal inquiries into the structural collapse of the festival sign. Horsham District Council is leading the health and safety investigation into the incident, with several lines of inquiry actively pursued alongside specialist assistance from the government’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Sussex Police have also reviewed the circumstances surrounding the collapse, though officials have not yet indicated when the investigation will officially conclude or whether any liability will be established.
For the congregation at Jesus the Living Water Church in Eastbourne, Guanco’s legacy remains rooted in his active mentorship, resilient faith, and the enduring community bonds he fostered both locally and within the wider diaspora network.
