Celebrating Volunteers’ Week

Photo of volunteers at an event next to text that reads "Thank you to our brilliant volunteers. Volunteers' Week 2025"

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers

2 – 8 June was Volunteers' Week, an annual UK-wide campaign that shines a spotlight on the power and impact of volunteering. To mark the week, we wanted to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to you, our incredible volunteer community, for everything you do to support Cancer Research UK.  

We’re lucky to benefit from the support of over 25,000 volunteers, who collectively donate millions of hours of their time each year to help us beat cancer.     

Volunteers are the backbone of our charity and your support makes our life-saving research possible. Every shirt you steam, event you attend, pound you raise, petition you sign, story you share and hour you give makes a difference for people affected by cancer.   

So thank you again for giving us your time – we couldn’t make the progress we do without you. Read on to hear some special messages of thanks from across the charity, find out how we celebrated Volunteers’ Week, and read some inspiring stories from members of our volunteer and supporter community.  

Wishing you a happy Volunteers’ Week, from all of us at Cancer Research UK

“Every hour you give makes a difference for people affected by cancer” 

To mark the week, Michelle Mitchell, our Chief Executive, was joined by colleagues from across the charity to record a special video message for volunteers. We hope this video will give you an insight into the incredible impact you have across so many areas of Cancer Research UK – from fundraising to campaigns, from our shops to our events to our Cancer Roadshows – and show you how much your dedication is appreciated.

Hear first-hand from our volunteers

Below, we’re shining a spotlight on five of our brilliant volunteers: Phil, Angie, Steph, Anna and Roger. Scroll through their stories to hear about their experiences of volunteering at Cancer Research UK, find out what motivated them to get involved and what being part of our volunteer community means to them.  

Michelle shares her reflections on Volunteers’ Week

Large group of volunteers standing outside and wearing Cancer Research UK t-shirts

As part of our Volunteers’ Week celebrations, Michelle Mitchell, our Chief Executive, took a look back at some of our most inspiring volunteer stories and shared some of the interactions and experiences with members of our volunteer community that have stood out to her over the years.

Read Michelle's piece

Celebrating Volunteers’ Week in our shops

Volunteers are at the heart of our shop teams – whether they’re styling windows with pre-loved fashion or greeting customers with a smile, their support keeps our shops running smoothly. During Volunteers’ Week, each of our 400+ shops across the UK held volunteer open days to celebrate their dedicated volunteers and encourage even more people to get involved and give shop volunteering a go.  

From running fun activities to creating displays that celebrate and recognise the difference volunteers make to our progress, our shops got into the creative spirit promote the benefits and importance of volunteering. Check out some of their celebrations in the images below:

A collage of different Volunteers' Week activity

Colleagues across the charity say thank you

During Volunteers’ Week, colleagues from across different areas of the charity shared messages of thanks for our volunteer community, illustrating the significant impact that our volunteers and supporters make right across Cancer Research UK.

Read their messages of gratitude