As we begin September, we're taking a look back at a busy and exciting summer of activity in our shops.
Nominations for our Volunteering Excellence Awards closed in July and judging took place over the summer. A team of over 40 judges from across the charity reviewed the 150+ inspiring nominations. This year’s winners have been contacted to let them know the good news, and we’ll be announcing the winners and runners up in October, so look out for more information coming soon!
September is Blood Cancer Awareness and Gynaecological Cancer Awareness months. So we're sharing information on the about blood cancer and about gynaecological cancer webpages with you.
In this newsletter we're focusing on Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and how we're recognising it across our shops. Read on to find out more!
Julie Byard, Director of Trading
Cancer Research UK
This September, we’re recognising Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM) across our network of shops and superstores.
Cancer Research UK is the biggest charitable funder of research into children’s and young people’s cancers in the UK. We support the very best scientists from across the UK and around the world to unlock discoveries and translate them into new and better ways to treat these cancers, with the ambition to transform outlooks for young patients.
The international symbol for Childhood Cancer Awareness is the gold ribbon. That's why our shops are 'going gold' this September, with window displays decorated in gold and gold ribbon pin badges available for a suggested donation. We'll also be displaying CCAM posters to help raise awareness.
Thank you for supporting this year's campaign. By encouraging customers to pick up a pin badge or read the posters in store, you're helping to drive progress for children and young people affected by cancer.
On Saturday 18 July, teams across our shops and superstores came together for our brand new 20k in One Day fundraising challenge, and thanks to your incredible enthusiasm, creativity and teamwork, you didn't just reach the target - you doubled it!
Together, you raised a whopping £40,325 – an achievement to be truly proud of.
From football-themed games and competitions to bucket collections, till donations and brilliant customer conversations, every fundraiser, every donation and every bit of effort helped make this incredible achievement possible. Thank you for getting behind the challenge and showing what we can achieve when we work together.
14 – 20 September is National Inclusion Week, a yearly event dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create welcoming organisations. This year’s theme is ‘Break barriers. Navigate change’, encouraging us all to think about how we can help to build a culture where everyone – staff and volunteers – can contribute to our success and feel like they belong.
Shop volunteer Lee joined the team at our Newcastle-upon-Tyne Grainger Street shop in 2022.
“Like so many people, I've seen the impact cancer can have on individuals and families, and I wanted to play a small part in helping Cancer Research UK move closer to better treatments and, ultimately, cures.”
Lee has found volunteering to be a great opportunity for connection: “One of the things I enjoy most is the people. The Grainger Street shop has such a diverse mix of volunteers, staff and customers from different ages, backgrounds and cultures, and I've loved getting to know so many people."
Another year, another incredible team effort and another fantastic result for the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw. We’re proud to share that during the 2026 campaign, shop staff, volunteers and our partners at Freight Wizard collectively took in over 122,377 bags – each with an average bag value (ABV) of £20.29. That’s an incredible £2.7m worth of stock (including Gift Aid)!
Thank you all so much for all your hard work during what is always a busy time. While the grand total for 2026 is something to celebrate, it's made up of thousands of individual contributions. Every conversation with a Slimming World Consultant, every collection organised and every bag counts. Those bags help to fund research that saves and improves lives and provide support for people affected by cancer. We hope you feel proud of the impact you make every day.
As part of our Trading strategy, we’re continuing to invest in our superstore network, with plans to open 12 new superstores by 2028.
On 30 July we celebrated an exciting milestone as our 50th superstore opened its doors in Thurrock. As well as achieving a promising first day of sales, the team also sold an incredible 204 lottery tickets in one day – a record for superstores!
Professor Sergio Quezada from the Cancer Research UK City of London Centre was VIP guest at the store opening, where he chatted to staff and volunteers about how his research is helping to develop new ways to help the body's immune system fight cancer. He was joined by celebrity fashion stylist and TV presenter Mark Heyes. Mark, who is the resident fashion expert on ITV’s Lorraine, helped to cut the ribbon to open the store with Professor Quezada.
The Thurrock superstore is our third new superstore to open this year, creating opportunities to reach more customers, increase income from donations and support even more progress in our mission to beat cancer.
A moderated discussion forum where you can talk to others affected by cancer, share experiences and get support.
As one of our shop volunteers you have access to tailored, free and confidential health and wellbeing support.
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.
