Volunteer Hub

Fundraiser and Campaigns Ambassador, Larissa - also known as Miss Great Britain 2023/2024 – had a slightly unusual route to volunteering; she found out about the Campaigns Ambassador role whilst competing in the pageant.

“A representative came and spoke to me about the Ambassador role, and I knew the activist in me would absolutely love it. I now use my voice in my local area to lobby my MP to prioritise cancer care.

"The recent bill to change the age of smoking was one my MP initially did not support, but then changed their mind. It certainly wasn’t just me lobbying them, but it does demonstrate that there’s real power in our voices, and that our collective activism is so much more powerful than you initially think.”

In addition to her volunteer role, Larissa is currently training for the London Marathon 2025, which she will run with her husband, Ian, to fundraise for Cancer Research UK.

“I’ve lost two grandparents to cancer, have an uncle living with cancer, and my husband also had cancer nearly a decade ago. What Cancer Research UK has done to cancer survival rates is incredible, so I’ve always valued the charity and how Cancer Research UK’s work is changing the outcomes of friends and family.”

Shirley started volunteering at the Aberdeen Superstore in February 2024, having lost her husband to cancer just before Christmas 2023.

“We had been married for 55 years so his loss hit me hard. I was out shopping and saw the Cancer Research UK store, decided to go in and on the spur of the moment asked if volunteers were needed, the rest is history.

“I love volunteering at Cancer Research UK. I have met, and worked alongside, some great people and made friends.

"I enjoy finding valuable items to send to the Marketplace team. I like hearing from my manager how we have done with eBay and what has made money for the charity.”

After just eight months, Shirley celebrated the incredible milestone of 1,000 hours volunteering in the store.

“I am proud that I have been able to support the shop. I encourage anyone who is thinking about volunteering to do it. Any hours or days help Cancer Research UK.”

Dedicated events volunteer, Wendy, has supported at Kings Lynn Race for Life for the past 15 years.

“I first took part in Race for Life many years ago when I worked for Mars as the community champion. After becoming a runner, and having been sponsored for another 10k race, I didn’t feel like people would sponsor me again, so I started volunteering. I dragged my two daughters along to help too and some work colleagues. And so, the habit became!”

Wendy acts as an incredible ambassador for Cancer Research UK and brings a group of family and friends along to help at the event each year. “This year was just the same as usual - about 15 of us came and covered all the marshal points, and even covered some admin too. We're also joined by our Cockapoo, Rosie, who has the time of her life running round and greeting everyone while we set up.”

This year, Wendy was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at the annual Cancer Research UK Flame of Hope Awards in honour of her remarkable contribution to volunteering at Race for Life events.

“I was nominated a few years ago for the Flame of Hope award, which I was hugely honoured about, and after a second nomination this year I was very proud to be made a Fellow of Cancer Research UK at a presentation in Nottingham in March. I really feel there are so many who do so much more, but I am happy to carry on gathering up individuals to volunteer and take part myself each year, as it is simply a joy to be part of the team, but also to facilitate the fundraising that takes place.”

Having supported Cancer Research UK in various ways across the years, Anne, Lynn, Brenda and Liz came together in July 2024 to revive the Herne Bay & Whitstable Committee. Together, they organised the first ever Cancer Research UK Shine Local event and raised £7,000 for life-saving research. Shine Local is a new opportunity for our fundraising groups and committees to light up their streets and bring the magic of our Shine Night Walk events, which take place in larger cities, to their own hometowns.

“We'd heard about Shine Night Walk and our Cancer Research UK Relationship Manager, Sherrill, suggested we host our very own Shine Local. A date was set, and we had two months to make it happen.

“We wanted to make it more than just a walk, so we plotted a great route by the sea and ended by a pub so that it became more of a whole evening.

“We were leading the way at the front and there was great excitement. The Sea Scouts lined the way and were clapping and cheering us on. We set up a finish line with lights and music, had confetti cannons with biodegradable confetti and we handed out medals. We all had to work really hard, but for what we achieved it was so worth it.

“To anyone thinking of fundraising for Cancer Research UK, go for it! You can get involved in a small way or a big way, whatever suits you best.”