Honorary Fellowships - Trading

Amy has been volunteering at the Ballymena shop since her college days and continues to be a very big part of the team. She travels 20 miles each way to do her weekly hours, often through rain, hail and snow. Amy helps with our street collections through all types of weather, taking it upon herself to go and stand at our front door with a collection bucket. She is chatty, funny, entertaining and very hardworking – always willing to give anything a go! It is such a thrill for all who know her, for her dedication and hard work to be recognised.

Ann started volunteering when the Newtownards shop first opened over 30 years ago. She has an extensive knowledge of items in the homeware department which are high value, and has a talent for spotting little trinkets that come in. Ann takes home donated wedding dresses to wash, enabling us to keep our high standards throughout the first floor wedding department. Dedication and loyalty are two of the qualities used to describe Ann. She promotes Cancer Research UK as much as she can and goes above and beyond her title of volunteer.  

Described as energetic and empathic, Ann has been volunteering at the Belshill shop for over 15 years. Before the pandemic, she ran the front of the shop, attending to customers with a smile, as well as participating in fundraising events with her running group. Ann has had some recent health issues, but despite this she still comes in to volunteer with a smile on her face. Ann has a really positive attitude and outlook on life. Her shop team are so proud of how amazing she is. 

Audrey has been volunteering with Cancer Research UK for an incredible 30 years. She never misses a shift and always goes the extra mile to help the team with extra cover when needed. She is diligent, reliable, and is the round up champion for her shop – having a way of asking that customers can’t refuse! She has a great love of volunteering and has even inspired others to volunteer too. We are so very lucky to have her volunteering with Cancer Research UK. 

Christopher has been volunteering with the Crystal Palace Shop for an incredible 30 years. Never letting the team down, he often volunteers for extra hours when needed and is more than willing to help with anything that’s asked of him. Often found on the till, every week he checks the lights and the fire alarm, and always makes sure the shop looks tidy and presentable. Volunteering at Crystal Palace since the shop opened, Christopher is motivated to continue and is a brilliant asset to the team!

Craig has been volunteering with the Lincoln Shop for 16 years and is described as reliable and friendly. Loved by his fellow volunteers, he is an important member of the team, who is happy to help in any way needed.  Volunteering twice a week, he has been a great support to his Shop Manager, who is new in post.  Also a regular financial donor, Craig is a real credit to Cancer Research UK.

Debbie has volunteered with the Willenhall Shop for 20 years and was just 19 when she first joined the team. In that time, she has completed three NVQs and has developed in leaps and bounds, recently gaining part time employment. She supports for two days every week, helping with any task, from back of house to working on the shop floor, as well as training new volunteers within the store. Over her time as a volunteer, Debbie has grown in confidence, she is reliable, diligent and was a big part of the shop scoring 100% on a recent audit.

Diana has been with our Dumfries shop from the very beginning, volunteering for 35 years! She volunteers every Saturday morning without fail, brightening everyone’s day with a warm smile. She is such an integral part of the history of the shop, and she is always there to lend a hand and a kind word to anyone in need. Diana is an inspiration, both for her many years of dedication and service and for her personality. One in a million, Diana couldn’t be more supportive to the shop team and the charity and in the words of her nominator – “we love her, and we are truly grateful that she is ours!

Diana has been a volunteer with the Edinburgh Morningside shop for 25 years. Volunteering 3 days a week, she prices homeware, cleans the silver, washes and sews cashmeres, and fixes buttons and zips. Diana loves to chat with everyone, she encourages others to volunteer and is great with our pin badge sales and our till point extras. A wonderful person with a wonderful spirit, Cancer Research UK is so lucky to have Diana as a volunteer.

Donna sadly passed away in May 2023.

Donna volunteered for Cancer Research UK for 31 years, sadly passing away recently.  Donna was very passionate about raising as much money as she could for the Sydenham shop, raising thousands of pounds, and often appearing in the local paper promoting our cause. Warm and friendly, she had a contagious laugh and provided a great customer experience to all. She loved volunteering, brightened the shop and was one in a million. The Sydenham shop and community will miss her deeply. Her family have set up a go fund me page, and her husband has very kindly already donated a cheque for an incredible £6000, with all the money raised going to Donna’s favourite shop – Sydenham!    

Doreen has been volunteering at the Falmouth shop for 12 years but with CRUK for many, many more. Doreen is well loved by the team and the customers. Her choice of classic music and musicals are always a real winner and many love to browse while having a singsong! Doreen also has a love for reading and has real enthusiasm when it comes to explaining about a storybook. Doreen and her husband Mike love to grow flowers and they always donate their prize African violets for fundraising.

Eileen has consistently volunteered for Cancer Research UK for over 20 years. Eileen takes great interest in the progress we are making as a charity and is passionate about getting the message across to our supporters. She is a great advocate for the work we do and the support we attract. She carries out every task in a happy and helpful manner, whether its replenishing stock or making sure that the shop looks the part. Eileen is a pleasure to work with and a great ambassador for the charity.

Elizabeth began volunteering over 41 years ago, first at the Bangor shop, before moving to Malmesbury, and then to Taunton. When at Malmesbury she would open the shop in the morning, go to work, and then return in the evening to close up. Pure, effortless dedication. At Taunton, Elizabeth volunteers at least two days a week, extra when required, always with a smile. Her knowledge is immense, and her compassion and patience for every little detail is always there. Elizabeth is described as one in a million. She is a true asset to Cancer Research UK. 

Elizabeth has volunteered at the Stirling shop for the past 23 years. Her infectious smile captures the attention of all the customers, who regularly come in just to see Elizabeth. Her social skills have helped train and develop hundreds of volunteers over the years, and Elizabeth also supports the local community at events to raise awareness about cancer. Elizabeth is truly an inspiration and has been a huge asset to not only the Stirling team but also to the wider cause.

Elizabeth has been a volunteer at Cancer Research Stirling for the past 15 years. Elizabeth is a key volunteer who runs the shop In the manager's absence, can do all the duties a manager can do, and is fully respected by the team. Elizabeth has dedicated time for each volunteer within the shop, helping to support, train and develop each volunteer to their full potential. Elizabeth is charitable, loyal, reliable, helpful, and caring. A truly outstanding individual who would go that extra mile for anyone.

Elvira first joined the Norbury Shop 35 years ago and has never let her team down. She will always make time to come into volunteer, although she is also busy with other projects, such as helping her local church or hospital, and supporting friends she’s made over the years when volunteering.  Looking after the homeware section of the shop, Elvira, sorts and prices her “bric a brac”, generating an average of £50 a week! A truly inspiring lady!

Jean sadly passed away in February 2024.

Along with her friends, affectionally known as The Friday Morning Girls, Jean has contributed 30 years of volunteering at the Macclesfield shop! Jean religiously turned up every week for 4 hours on a Friday morning, along with her friends, to do her bit for Cancer Research UK. Her dedication, hard work and team spirit displayed throughout was a credit to her, and she was a fantastic ambassador for Cancer Research UK.

For 23 years, Jean has volunteered at the St Albans shop, and takes part in every fundraising event going, including collecting at the train station for Stand Up to Cancer for up to 12 hours, holding a charity Christmas market stall, and dressing up countless times in fancy dress. She helped every single day at the pop-up Charity Supermarket in Brent Cross, keeping things tidy and helping customers, sometimes not finishing until 8pm. Jean normally volunteers for 2 days a week, and often the rest of the team struggle to keep up with her. Nothing is too much where CRUK is concerned – she is an amazing volunteer.

Jenny has been volunteering with Cancer Research UK for an incredible 30 years! Generous in every way, Jenny is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people you could meet. Never forgetting a volunteer's birthday, and always sending a card on people's high days and low days, just to let them know she is thinking of them. A total team player, constantly boosting morale, and always putting others first, she always goes above and beyond to ensure people are taken care of. A truly incredible, awe-inspiring human.

Jill has been a volunteer at the West Wickham shop for the past 20 years! Greeting every customer with a beaming smile, she provides outstanding customer service and encourages customers to buy add-on sales, raffle tickets and to round up their purchases, generating hundreds of extra pounds with her efforts. Multitasking at every turn, Jill motivates everyone to work as a team, fostering a lively, vibrant environment and maximising the amount raised with fundraising. Jill always goes above and beyond and champions CRUK wherever she goes.

Joan has volunteered with the Newcastle Upon Tyne shop for the last 25 years. Driven by her personal connection to the cause, Joan’s volunteering journey started when she retired and she quickly became a constant fixture at the shop on a Tuesday morning. As a stockroom processor, Joan makes sure there are plenty of garments ready to hit the sales floor but is also prepared with a range of chocolate biscuits to keep the team going! She’s never without a bag of donations when she arrives for her shift. Joan shows outstanding commitment to our cause.

For over 25 years, John has volunteered with the Elgin shop. John helps with all the general maintenance, attending the shop most days to apprise himself of anything which needs doing. In 2016, John had his head shaved for Stand Up to Cancer, raising £860, and since he started volunteering, he has raised the staggering total of £185,000. His influence is unlimited within the shop, which is apparent in his warm hearted, supportive, and welcoming interactions with managers, fellow volunteers, and customers alike. His enthusiasm and devotion to the charity is immeasurable and knows no bounds.

Josie started volunteering at the Macclesfield Shop back in 1992 when it first opened, turning up every Friday morning, come rain or shine! Josie now volunteers in the stockroom, sorting donations, labelling, and hanging clothes – always making sure she has filled a rail before finishing for the week. Josie is a key member of the team, known for her role within her village she often turns up with bags of donations from neighbours. One of the heroes of CRUK, Josie shows amazing dedication and commitment, working away in the shadows with no fuss, now is her time to be recognised.

Volunteering with our Petersfield Chapel Street Shop since it opened 30 years ago, Joy is always bright and cheerful, willing to help, and happy to listen to customers, colleagues and members of the community alike. Joy enjoys stock processing and is always championing the benefits of buying from a charity, not only to save pennies and support research, but for environmental and ethical purposes too.  A popular and loving member of the team, she has a great sense of style and is always beautifully dressed. In the words of her Shop Manager, “we wouldn't be without Joy, and very much appreciate her dedication and commitment, as well as the sense of fun and life she brings to the shop.

Kathleen has been an outstanding volunteer with the Johnstone shop for 21 years, supporting every Saturday afternoon whilst also working full-time. Kathleen does so much for the charity and is always championing Cancer Research UK in and around her local community. She promotes our merchandise, like wristbands and pin badges, to her colleagues and friends, even at her local bowling club, helping to raise every last penny she can, for a charity so close to her and her family’s heart.

Louise started volunteering at the Inverness shop in 2000, an incredible 23 years ago. Very early on she showed immense commitment and there were weeks that she volunteered for five days straight. It is her customer service that totally makes Louise stand out from the crowd. The locals all know her name, she has an infectious personality and is adored by all who visit her. She offers a sublime level of service that endears her to all visitors to the branch and encapsulates the epitome of a Cancer Research UK volunteer. 

Mandy has been volunteering with the South Woodford store for over 30 years.  For many years now, Mandy's main focus has been our bought in goods, which are new products that are sold in our shops. Due to her knowledge of what's selling well and her beautiful merchandising skills, South Woodford has been number one in sales of bought in goods in our area for many years.  In addition to volunteering within the shop, Mandy has been integral, along with her husband David, to making fundraising events a success - particularly the annual quiz night which raises both the shop profile and funds for Cancer Research UK.

Margaret has been with the Potters bar shop for 38 years volunteering on a Wednesday morning. Margaret helps on the till and is always prepared on the shop floor to help chat with and support customers. Margaret is great on the till and supports whenever she can with a range of different jobs, she is versatile and willing to be flexible. Margaret's support within the shop is very much appreciated and she is an asset to the store.

Margaret, or Meg, as she is known to the team, has volunteered at the Seaford shop since 2003.  Joining Cancer Research UK after being diagnosed with bowel cancer, she now volunteers for 3 days a week, even opening up and looking after the store when needed. When she’s not volunteering, she’s still generating money for the shop by making items for us to sell – such as lavender bags, cushions, hats and mittens - raising a brilliant £1,113 last year alone! Her team describe her as an absolute star!

Affectionately known as the Queen of Steam, Marion volunteers every single Friday morning, turning up whatever the weather. Having been volunteering for over 30 years she has undertaken many roles within the shop. Now focusing on stock preparation she takes great pride in her work, steaming in excess of 100 items of clothing ready for sale, and then taking them all onto the shop floor. Marion’s dedication is an inspiration to all, and her commitment is staggering.

Marjorie has been volunteering at the Cheadle Shop for two days a week since June 2003. Not only a brilliant saleswoman, Marjorie is always keen to engage with customers regarding cancer treatments and the vital research that goes into them. She is so authentic and positive in her encounters and has so much empathy when listening to other people’s stories. Cheadle is so lucky and proud to have Marjorie, someone who truly and personally champions the charity – a beacon of strength, she inspires everyone every day with her positive attitude and dedication.

Mary has been volunteering with the Chelsea shop for over 20 years. Despite having a full time job, she still manages to support the team for up to two full days each week. Well known in the community, she has a great relationship with many of our regular customers and is always very friendly and cheerful, ringing sales through the till and enjoying interacting with everyone.  Always encouraging others to support Cancer Research UK, Mary is a very valued member of the team.

Maureen has volunteered with the Brownhills shop for 21 years and is always the first to take part in every fundraising task, whether that be a charity walk or a fancy dress day. Maureen has more energy than most, and never misses a day of volunteering. Always positive and willing to help anyone, she will cover more hours if she knows the shop is struggling for volunteers. Maureen is a very valued member of her team, who feel that this award is thoroughly deserved for this amazing lady.

Nigel started volunteering in the Southport shop 18 years ago. He shows outstanding support, coming in every day from 9am to 4pm. Nigel is always the first to help with any additional fundraising activities we hold – whether that be a bikeathon, a cake sale or wearing fancy dress. Willing to lend a hand with anything, he smiles all the time. Nigel champions the work that CRUK does, telling all his friends what the next fundraising campaign will be, and how the money raised will be used. He is a remarkable volunteer – a true hero and a stalwart of the Southport Shop.

Pat has been volunteering at the Macclesfield shop since it opened, over 31 years ago. Having undertaken several roles over the years, she is now known as the Homeware lady. Pat volunteers every Friday morning, taking great pride in her work, making sure the Homeware department is clean, up to date and themed, with her displays often being complimented by customers. Pat is a true ambassador for CRUK, actively promoting events and talking about them to friends, family and neighbours. She thoroughly deserves the recognition for her outstanding service, dedication and commitment.

Robin has been at the Ludlow shop for the last 19 years. He turns up every week, always with a smile and good sense of humour. He spends most of his day steaming or sorting, it’s quite a challenge to keep up with him! We worked out that Robin has steamed over 125,000 items of clothing – incredible! He is such a great help, and willing to help with any extra jobs that need doing. He is incredibly kind and welcoming towards new volunteers and offers help with things wherever he can. Robin is a true asset to our team.

Ruth has consistently volunteered every Monday since she initially joined the team at our Honiton shop over 30 years ago. Even when Ruth moved away, she volunteered with her nearest CRUK shop. Ruth has a great eye for antiques, and she has always spotted key pieces which has helped to maximise sales. She supports with transport for our Christmas meal, so no volunteer is left out and she always comes in to help with special events, such as opening after a new season, and providing invaluable support during big times of change.

Sandra has been volunteering at the Felixstowe shop for 21 years, ever since she retired. She is a well-loved face in Felixstowe and despite her own health concerns she continues to volunteer every Tuesday afternoon, welcoming customers and serving them at the till with a smile. She helps to keep the shop clean and tidy and is always offering to help in every way that she can. She is a fantastically cheerful and optimistic person and an inspirational ambassador for Cancer Research UK.

Sarah has been volunteering with Cancer Research UK for over 18 years, and she is an asset to her shop. She volunteers for around 20 hrs a week and she is always willing to go the extra mile when required for fundraising or covering for annual leave or sickness. Sarah gets on great with fellow volunteers and customers alike and is a competent and reliable member of the team.

Sean has been a volunteer with the Debry Allenton Shop for 22 years, and volunteers 3 days a week, every week. He jokes that he’s actually a part of the fixtures and fittings! He radiates happiness and his customer service skills are second to none. Sean plays a massive part in creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere, where customers can come in, not just to shop, but for a lift and a bit of happiness in tough times. He is always the first to sign up for a fundraiser and is kind and genuine when listening to supporters’ stories and personal cancer journeys.

Shirley has been volunteering in the Tiverton shop for nearly 17 years now. She comes in twice a week, rain or shine, always with a smile on her face, ready to get stuck into sorting donations, tagging gift aid items, and steaming. Shirley is not shy in dressing up for fundraising events – anything to raise a bit more for the charity. Nothing holds her back. She takes new volunteers under her wing to help them settle into volunteering and she is a true asset to the team.

Shirley has volunteered for Cancer Research UK for over 32 years, starting on the day the Marple shop opened, tirelessly helping to raise funds: processing stock, serving on the till and providing excellent customer care. Shirley continues to promote Cancer Research UK every chance she gets – as captain of the local golf club she encouraged members to volunteer, and recently, although no longer captain she encouraged the club to raise over £1000 for Cancer Research UK. Shirley is always open to new ideas and embraces the challenges we face with gusto. The Marple Shop would not be the same without her

Sue has been volunteering in the Barnstaple shop on a regular basis for 20 years and is known as the ‘Librarian’.  Sue is extremely capable in everything she does, has a good rapport with customers and is well liked and respected by her fellow volunteers. She has a bright and lively personality and communicates well with our clientele. Overall, Sue is the ideal volunteer, nothing is ever too much trouble, she is a pleasure to work with and fully deserving of this nomination. Sue is an asset to the shop, and the team hope she can continue volunteering for many years to come.

Sue has been volunteering with the West Bridgford Shop for an incredible 25 years. She has single-handedly been responsible for the jewellery department for all this time, generating over £21.5k last financial year alone. This involves untangling pieces, finding hallmarks and researching items at home as well as forging contacts with jewellers to get the best price for scrapped gold. A great ambassador for the charity in the West Bridgford area, Sue promotes Cancer Research UK through her leadership role in the WI and her connections to the local food bank.  She is an amazing member of the team.

Sue has been volunteering with the Ashbourne Shop for an amazing 16 years and is a true asset to the team. Sue encourages others to volunteer, and she is a great supporter of the shop fundraising events, donating raffle prizes and always aiming to raise as much as possible. She shows great customer service and hands out donation bags with purchases encouraging others to donate. Sue has a very big heart, and she never fails to bring smiles to the team with her positive attitude and love for her shop family.

Sue has been volunteering every Thursday at the Blackpool shop for over 15 years. An amazing volunteer and team player in the shop, she is also always willing to participate in quirky fundraising ideas - once sitting in a bath, having tins of custard poured over her head - all in the name of standing up to cancer. Sue has such a positive outlook on life, she is young at heart and is always up for anything new. She is a ray of sunshine and a joy to be around.

Tracey first started volunteering with the St Andrews shop 27 years ago and for several years has been the shops full time weekend volunteer! Always willing to go the extra mile, her dedication is reflected in feedback from customers and in her strong work ethic that always shines through. One of the key things that makes Tracey stand out, is her flexibility to cover and support whenever needed. Tracey is well known and liked in the town, and she volunteers with other community groups. It’s rare to see the level of commitment that Tracey has given, she’s the true epitome of a Cancer Research UK volunteer.