Event Volunteer - Shine Night Walk London 2025 - 20th September 2025

"I've volunteered at every London Shine and love doing it! I really enjoy working with the CRUK staff and volunteers, making sure all the walkers have a great night for such a fantastic cause. It's a great feeling giving the walkers that little bit of extra support and encouragement when they need it.  – Mark, Shine London Volunteer 

Why we need you: 

Through research we are beating cancer. Step by step. Day by day. But beating cancer is a team effort and our research isn’t possible without you. 

Our Shine Night Walk London event is our flagship event of the series which will see thousands of Shine supporters walking a marathon, half marathon or 10K through the night to raise vital funds for research into preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. 

Having the amazing support and endless enthusiasm of some friendly faces along the way truly makes Shine an unforgettable experience. Join the Shine London Volunteer Team and let's beat cancer together. 

What will I be doing? 

We’re looking for positive, proactive, friendly people to get stuck into one of our many roles and help to create a truly memorable event.  

Before the event, you can give us your preference for what you’d like to do on the day. We will endeavour to accommodate this, but it will depend on volunteer attendance. Here’s a list of the different roles we have on offer.  

• General Volunteer – Happy to help wherever is needed 

• Course Route Marshal – You will be located at a strategic point along the course, ready to cheer and motivate the walkers as they make their way across London.   You will be supported by a Zone Manager and be paired up with another volunteer.  You can also bring a friend to buddy up with! 

• Cycle Team Volunteer – Be our eyes and ears on course by cycling sections of the route and support our course route volunteers, who may require support and welfare breaks. You will be working alongside the Zone Manager and Course Marshals to provide general support, motivation and most importantly making sure the participants remain on the correct route. This role requires you to have your own bike suitable to the terrain of the course. 

• Pit Stop Volunteer – You’ll be part of the team at one of our pit-stops, helping to motivate the walkers & handing out refreshments. 

• Driver Volunteer – Driving a vehicle of provisions around the route to support the health and welfare of the walkers and other volunteers or driving a vehicle with medical staff in to support any medical needs along the route. 

• Venue Volunteer – You’ll be part of the team either helping during set-up, live event or de-rig (depending on your shift) assisting in tasks at Start/Finish venues such as giving out water and medals or guiding our participants at the Start. 

• Wayfinding Volunteer – Working as part of the team to guide participants around the start and finish at the live event. 

What benefits can I expect? 

• A unique and rewarding night out exploring the iconic sights of London in a completely different light. 

• When you volunteer at Shine Night Walk event, you make a difference. Join in the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a valuable contribution to groundbreaking research that’s happening as we speak.  Last year's event raised an incredible £2.7 million. 

• A memorable experience, supporting one of the UK’s leading charities for one of our biggest annual fundraisers. 

• The chance to meet new people and make new friends. 

• An opportunity to learn valuable new skills to support personal and career development. 

What support will we give you? 

We’ll be with you every step of the way sending monthly updates in the lead up to the event. Four weeks before the event, we’ll confirm all the details with you and send a video briefing about your role.  We’ll also give you a call to make sure you’re happy and answer any questions. 

At the event you’ll meet in a dedicated volunteer area with your volunteer manager who will give you a briefing and be there to offer any support throughout your time with us.  You’ll have access to hot drinks, sandwiches and snacks and any other kit required to carry out your role. If you are on course, you’ll be visited by one of our team who will provide refreshments and a toilet break.  You’ll also be paired up with another volunteer. 

At Cancer Research UK we know that a diverse volunteer community will help us to beat cancer. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We will happily consider making any reasonable adjustments to support volunteer applications from people with a disability or health condition. Whether you’re a first-time volunteer or a seasoned veteran, we’d love for you to join us!  

Time Commitment 

Any time that you can spare for Shine Night Walk London will be invaluable to support staff and thousands of walkers. 

VENUE (START/FINISH) 

• Anytime across the weekend  

• Saturday daytime VENUE ONLY (10am – 6pm) ** Start or Finish** 

• Saturday evening (3pm – 12am) ** Start or Finish** 

• Saturday evening (10pm – 4am) ** Finish** 

• Saturday evening (3am – 10am) ** Finish** 

COURSE & CYCLES 

• Saturday overnight (5pm – 1am) 

• Saturday overnight (7pm – 5am) 

• Saturday overnight (1am – 9.30am) 

PIT STOPS 

• Saturday overnight (6.30pm – 2am) 

• Saturday overnight (8pm – 3.30am) 

• Saturday overnight (1am – 8.30am) 

VEHICLE  

• Saturday overnight (6pm – 3am) 

• Saturday overnight (1am – 8am) 

How do I sign up? 

Complete our online application form by selecting 'Apply for the role'.  

Volunteers are the life and soul of our events. Can you imagine an event without a course, without medals and without cheering? Volunteer right now, make someone smile, and let's beat cancer together.