Here's your September updateHere's your September update
As you may already know, we're recognising Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM) in our stores this month. CCAM is a vital way for us to raise awareness of cancers that impact children and young people. Your gold window displays will bring attention to this important awareness month.
Below, we share Lottie's story. Lottie has been a volunteer in our Ilkley store since 2019 and was recently awarded the Young Volunteer of the Year Award at the Charity Retail Awards. Lottie's developed so much in her time volunteering with us, her story is truly inspiring.
National Inclusion Week falls at the end of this month, from 23 September to 29 September. At Cancer Research UK, we're committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all our staff and volunteers feel valued. You can learn more about our equality, diversity and inclusion work and access useful resources below.
In addition to your role as a shop volunteer, some of you may also have supported at one of our events this year. We hear from Jon, an avid Race for Life volunteer, about why this experience is so special to him.
Best wishes,
Julie Byard, Director of Trading
Cancer Research UK
This month is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
This month is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM): an internationally recognised campaign to raise awareness and support for children’s and young people’s cancers.
CCAM is an opportunity for us to help raise awareness that cancer affects children and young people too and highlights our commitment to improving outcomes for young patients.
Hopefully you’ve already started turning your window displays to go gold for CCAM. We can’t wait to see your fabulous displays.
How you can get involved
- Encourage our customers to pick up one of our gold pin badges to show their support for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. And why not pick up your own gold pin badge and wear it in support of CCAM?
- Wear one of our Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People-branded bibs throughout September.
- Take the time to look at the CCAM posters displayed in your store which feature real stories from children and young people.
Your support of this campaign will allow us to have an even bigger impact and make even more progress for young cancer patients.
Young Volunteer of the Year Award winner: Lottie
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 from debilitating anxiety. With the encouragement of the shop team, Lottie started her volunteering journey and has never looked back!
Lottie initially focused on sorting clothes in the back room for two hours per week. As her confidence grew, she took on more hours and eventually reached a point where she felt comfortable taking on the shop floor. She’s now a customer service superstar and uses her eye for colour and sense of style to help create displays, as well as enjoying being the life and soul of the shop community.
Sharing what the award means to her, Lottie says: “I was so excited and grateful and shocked all at the same time. I had a wonderful evening meeting everyone there, giving people hope, and being told I’m an inspiration was just the cherry on top!”
Congratulations to Lottie and a huge thank you for being part of our volunteer community!
National Inclusion Week: 23-29 September 2024
We exist to beat cancer, and that means beating it for everyone. At Cancer Research UK, we know our people – those who work for us or volunteer their time – are one of our greatest assets. It’s your passion and dedication that powers our work. We believe that creating an inclusive environment, where all our staff and volunteers feel like they belong, will allow us to make the greatest progress for people affected by cancer.
23 – 29 September 2024 is National Inclusion Week, and the theme for this year is ‘Impact Matters’. This is a good opportunity for us to think about how we can all take action to be more inclusive.
Our equality, diversity and inclusion guide for volunteers
This guide provides a useful overview of what we mean by equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and a reminder about how you can speak up if you have questions or concerns.
We all have a role to play in creating an inclusive and welcoming culture, so if you’ve got ten minutes to spare, why not remind yourself of the steps you can take to bring our EDI values to life?
Resources on the Retail Trust
As one of our volunteers, you have access to all of the Retail Trust's free resources.
On the Retail Trust Website, you can find a whole section on EDI, and how to create an inclusive environment. The resources include:
"I want people to cross the finish line with a big smile"
That’s a wrap on Race for Life 2024! Thank you to everyone who got involved with this year’s events. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and incredible supporters, over 259,000 people raised millions for life-saving cancer research – an astonishing achievement!
Our volunteers are the heart and soul of Race for Life events. Events volunteer, Jon, has been brightening up events across Hampshire since 2017 with his infectious energy and colourful outfits.
Sharing his highlights as part of our Race volunteer team, Jon says: “I have so much fun. I was hosting Portsmouth Race for Life this year. At one point I was jumping and dancing as per usual, and on came Eye of the Tiger. The next second, the Red Arrows flew over us! It was iconic - it made my day.”
We're here to support you
Cancer Chat
A moderated discussion forum where you can talk to others affected by cancer, share experiences and get support.
The Retail Trust
As one of our shop volunteers you have access to tailored, free and confidential health and wellbeing support.
Volunteer Hub
Find useful information and resources for volunteers and stay up to date with the latest news and updates.
If you received a link to this information by text message it is because you volunteer in one of our shops. If you’re no longer volunteering with us, please email us at volunteering@cancer.org.uk.