Volunteer Hub

“I would encourage anybody to find the time to volunteer, even if it’s just for a few hours a week.” 

Karen joined Cancer Research UK in 2002 and has been a volunteer at the Haslemere shop for an outstanding 20 years. The decision to offer her time came after losing her father to kidney cancer when he was aged just 60. “Having run several marathons and raising thousands of pounds in donations from friends and family, the opportunity to volunteer came as my youngest son started nursery.”  

Over her incredible years of volunteering, Karen has witnessed changes in the fashion retail industry. “There has been a rise in ‘fast fashion’ and it’s interesting to see how this has impacted charity shops. Clothing can be purchased so cheaply, meaning it has become a form of competition with charity shops, and many of our donations are often unworn or with labels still attached.” 

“We always have so much fun in the shop and I’ve made lifelong memories. I love when a customer makes a great find they weren’t expecting. This happened recently where a customer left with a ukulele and telescope in hand – neither of which were on her shopping list!” 

“I became involved with the charity in 2002 through a previous employer, and since then I’ve returned year after year. The joy I get from volunteering is priceless and I absolutely love it.” 

For the last twenty years Laura has been volunteering as a Race for Life stage host alongside her occupation as a radio broadcaster in the south west. “It’s been a very humbling experience, and you get to see first-hand what participating means to people. The look on a person’s face as they cross the finish line - whether they’re pleased with their achievement, proud to have raised money for Cancer Research UK, or perhaps thinking of a loved one. It’s such a special moment.” 

“I still regularly host the on-stage presentation for events. It’s changed and adapted over the years, the amount of glitter worn has certainly increased! It’s incredible that so many people continue to show up every year.” 

“If anyone is considering becoming a volunteer, I can definitely recommend it. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that your input will make a difference to people's lives and will give so many families extra time with their loved ones.” 

In 2002 Marlene applied to volunteer at the Cancer Research UK shop in Coleford, where her sister was working as the shop manager. 20 years later, Marlene continues to offer a helping hand two mornings a week, serving customers, sorting donations and making excellent cups of tea for the team. 

“I love every day at the shop, laughing and chatting to the other volunteers. We’ve all become friends. To anyone thinking about volunteering I would say go for it. Play a part in making sure less families have to suffer the early loss of a loved one.” 

Marlene is a multi-skilled volunteer and last year helped the shop to raise an extra £500 by taking home stained clothing to be washed and ironed, returning them to the shop smelling fresh and ready to be sold.  

“I’ve been volunteering for Cancer Research UK for so long, I have trouble remembering when I started! It was sometime in the late 1980’s, so it’s been over thirty years. I began by carrying out house-to-house collections across a few local roads and then I joined the Croydon and District Local Committee and eventually took over as Chairperson. After I retired, I explored different areas of volunteering other than fundraising, such as shop auditing and hosting presentations for businesses and colleges around cancer awareness and healthy lifestyles. It’s added an extra dimension to my life, I’ve met lots of interesting people and it has meant that after retirement, I’m not suddenly thrown on the scrapheap, I’m no longer just an OAP who spends his time doing crosswords and sudokus. I’m out there, still making a contribution.” 

“There were certainly some major world events happening around the time I joined, like Chernobyl and the Lockerbie bombing. My personal life on the other hand was on a bit of a plateau – which is maybe why I began volunteering!” 

“Throughout more recent years, one of the biggest changes I’ve experienced is a shift away from cash donations to online and contactless transactions, which has been accelerated by the pandemic. More of Cancer Research UK’s income is online, which of course didn’t even exist when I started!”