Celebrating the achievements of our volunteers

Inspirational volunteer Lottie, 23, was named Young Volunteer of the Year at the 2024 Charity Retail Awards.  

When Lottie first walked into the Cancer Research UK shop in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, in 2019, she was just 19 years old and suffering with debilitating anxiety. However, she desperately wanted to do something in memory of her Auntie Carol, who had died of cancer. With the encouragement of the shop team, Lottie started her volunteering journey and has never looked back!  

Over the years, Lottie has learned new skills, gained confidence and flourished thanks to the support of the shop community. Her determination in the face of adversity and her dedication to helping others has had a powerful impact on all those around her. 

Lottie has now used the skills she’s gained through volunteering to secure a job, yet she still volunteers three days a week and pops in whenever she can to help out.  

Congratulations and a huge thank you to Lottie!

John was awarded a British Empire Medal for his voluntary services to cancer patients and to the community of Elgin. Between 1993 and 2023, John raised over £180,000 for charities including Cancer Research UK. And for the last quarter century, John has volunteered at the Elgin shop, where he helps out at least three shifts a week.

John has a powerful connection to our cause. Today, he’s in remission from testicular cancer after receiving radiotherapy treatment in 1996:

“I was one of the lucky ones as my cancer was detected early and the treatment was successful. Now I’m keen to do everything I can to help other people going through cancer. The money people spend in Cancer Research UK shops funds vital research so more patients have a positive outcome. Many customers share with me a little about their own cancer experiences when they pop in to the shop and I enjoy everything I can do to help make a difference. I love my time volunteering and the moments I get to share with the staff and volunteers. It’s like one big happy family and I’d feel lost without it.

“Getting a British Empire Medal is a huge honour. I just couldn’t believe it when I was first told. I’m the sort of person who struggles to believe something until I see it in black and white. None of this would have been possible without the help and support of the public, people generously bringing items to me to sell at car boot sales and customers supporting our Cancer Research UK shop. This honour is a tribute and a thank you to them all. It’s a great feeling to know people care about you.”

Archie was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to cancer research fundraising in County Down. Archie has chaired the Newcastle and Mourne local fundraising committee since 2009 and during that time the group have raised several hundreds of thousands of pounds. 

“It was a total surprise to find out I was being awarded. When they needed to submit the information to the committee, my niece came round and she played me like a fiddle to get all the info. We laughed saying she could work for MI5 because she just sat so casually asking questions. I had no indication whatsoever. My diabetic eye test comes in the same colour envelope as the one that arrived from the cabinet office, so at first, I thought they were rescheduling my appointment again! I ripped the envelope open, and there it was, the cabinet office postcard!

“The overriding thing for me is friendship, it really is the friendships - that has been the absolute highlight of my time with Cancer Research UK. All the people on the committee are extremely nice people, it’s an absolute joy and honour to be with them.”

Archie’s wife, Joan, also gave so much of her time to Cancer Research UK. Joan sadly died in 2023.

“There’s no question about it, this is very bittersweet. Joan was involved with the committee since 1990. She never wanted to take a proper role on the committee but was always busy in the background. She was the most amazing person. She always had a smile, always had a twinkle. That’s how everyone remembers her, as so helpful, and so friendly. Joanie would have been absolutely tickled pink by this.”