Volunteers' Week Wall of ReflectionVolunteers' Week Wall of Reflection
Welcome to our Wall of Reflection
Volunteers Week 2022 ended on 7th June - so submissions to our wall are now closed. We will be keeping the wall live for a while longer though for all to enjoy reading the messages received this year. Thank you to all who submitted, and all our wonderful volunteers who make our life-saving work possible
Michelle Mitchell - Chief Executive Officer
We could not beat cancer together without the amazing support of our volunteers. Thank you for supporting life saving cancer research!
Emily O - Volunteering Team
I remember being an Events Assistant at Birkenhead Race for Life and having a tough time with things going wrong. A brilliant volunteer, who is a regular at the Wirral Race For Life, saw me struggling and decided to be a pillar of support. Without me knowing, he went and bought me a flower and gave it to me, saying “keep smiling, you are doing great!” I think it’s fair to say I cried and embraced this wonderful moment. Just feeling the support from our amazing volunteers makes me incredible proud of the team I work for.
Val - Volunteer
My 9 year old grandson has amazed me by spending a whole day of his school holidays sorting out his best clothes he no longer wears, and toys he no longer plays with to give to me to take to the charity shop I work in to raise lots of money, in his words.
Richard T - Relationship Manager
Reading so many inspirational nominations for Flame of Hope
Keith H- Trading
My favourite moment happened when we first allowed to hug after the lockdowns. Two ladies that have volunteered together for over 14 years shared a massive hug. After coping with all the restrictions, to see such pure happiness first thing on a Monday morning was awesome, and I'm not ashamed to admit, brought a tear to my eye.
Jenny McGugan - HR
Thank you to our amazing coaches - you made a huge impact, helping our people reach their potential.
Carrie L - SLFEO
Our volunteers really are the face and heart of the charity. I am so privileged to work with so many inspiring volunteers, who make the ambition and work of Cancer Research UK possible. Bringing such fun and passion to everything they do, I am constantly in awe of the fundraising and awareness raising, and everything achieved in the name of Cancer Research UK in our communities. To all of our amazing volunteers past and present thank you for everything x
Susan M - Volunteer
l was diagnosed with breast cancer but l had radiotherapy for 6 weeks and 8 yrs later am still here . l was so down when my mam died so l went into the Cancer Research shop in Swansea and l love it there. Meeting people there turned my life around and l do Race for Life every year since . l do it to give back to the people who saved me.
Jilly M - Volunteering Team
Being cheered on by amazing volunteers at Race for Life! Thanks for the motivation!
Laura B - Volunteering Team
Volunteers bring hope and light in their communities - giving their time so that people affected by cancer have more time.
Becky B - Volunteering Team
One of my favourite memories is witnessing the awe and wonder on the faces of a group of volunteers from one of our fundraising committees that I took on a behind the scenes lab tour. You could see just how much it meant to them to meet our scientists and tangibly see what all their incredible efforts contribute to - it was so rewarding! We can never thank our volunteers enough. You're all amazing!
Shelley E - Trading
My volunteers mean everything to me. It is as simple as that. I would be nothing without them, the shop would be nothing without them, and the charity is very lucky to have so many who work so extremely hard. I love them all dearly.
Clare L - Partnerships
In Partnerships Management, our volunteers come mostly in the form of charity champions who take on the role in addition to busy day jobs. They make a massive difference to the success of our partnerships! We're also seeing a lift in corporate volunteers going into Cancer Research UK stores again, and this is such a great way to engage on a different level with Cancer Research UK. Collaboration is key #OneCRUK
Hannah H - Volunteering Team
I've volunteered in a couple of our charity shops over the years - and all I can say is WOW! How amazing are our shop volunteers?! So passionate and knowledgeable in everything they do, and they know how to have fun at the same time! Thank you so so much for all that you do to support the cause.
Victoria W - Ambassadors & Campaigns
Meeting almost 100 of our volunteer Campaigns Ambassadors for a day of influencing in the heart of Westminster in June 2018 is one of the highlights of my 5 years at Cancer Research UK. I'm incredibly excited to do it all again in a month's time with some long-serving volunteers, and some of our newer recruits.
Joan F - Volunteer
Each day that I work as volunteer in the Cancer Research UK shop I am so happy and energetic. That happiness is reflected in customers faces as they have suffered personally from cancer or lost loved ones. I lost my sister to cancer and this year on 15th May my dear brother aged 69 died from bowel cancer. When I work in the Cancer Research UK shop, I talk to them and tell them I will do a perfect job in their memory to help raise money so others may not suffer in the near future.
Elham SR - Volunteer
I enjoy helping at the charity shop, I see people are very happy.
Grace W - Trading
Everything we are, it’s because of our volunteers. They bring hard work, commitment, sunshine & smiles. They make a huge difference to us & we in turn, make a difference to them by giving them a purpose where they feel welcomed & appreciated.
Kerensa H - Volunteering Team
Hearing such an incredible and personal story from a volunteer and how our research gave them more time.
Elaine L - Volunteer
We had our first committee meeting back in October for our first Relay for Life Dunbar which is taking place in three weeks. Small but growing numbers, it was inspiring to discover that other local people share the same goals and enthusiasm to raise funds to beat cancer and we can't wait for the day!
Laura Parsisson - Head of Volunteering
I feel incredibly lucky to have been in a room at a Flame of Hope event with so many amazing volunteers. Hearing their achievements and experiences is something I will never forget.
Heather D - Volunteering Team
Cancer Research UK’s volunteers provide hope for people like me who are living with cancer! Together we will be cancer! THANK YOU.
Julie Byard - Director of Trading
For all the Flame of Hope nominees!
Adam B - Volunteering Team
Our shop and event volunteers have made a crucial difference to vital life saving research and my daily work.
Jonny Potter - Head of Creative
I've met many great volunteers, who've raced for life over the years, these brothers and sisters, all covered in blisters, deserve over 5000 cheers!
Clare L - Partnerships
Before my sister died, she worked in her local Cancer Research UK store and her volunteering meant so much to her. This is why our stores and their people will always hold a special place in my heart!
Hannah P - Volunteering Team
Meeting volunteers at my local shop and hearing their different motivators for getting involved with Cancer Research UK. It was also fantastic to find out about the different skills and ideas they bring!
Keith H - Trading
I literally couldn't do this without them, and it's made even more special because they do it out of the goodness of their hearts. I think any manager would be lucky to have a team like the one I get to work with.
Grace W - Trading
I started volunteering at Cancer Research UK after losing my baby to a hydatidiform molar pregnancy, very sad & traumatic but I had great care & treatment from Cancer Research UK. I survived thanks to them. I have been working for them now for the last 3 years & volunteered for 5 years previously. We’re a Cancer Research UK family. We work hard together, we have a laugh & totally appreciate each other, skills, challenges, strengths & I’m constantly humbled by how amazing they all are.
Brett H - Volunteer
Winning a Flame of Hope award the same year I got cancer myself was amazing. Absolutely love volunteering for Cancer Research UK.
Shelley E - Trading
The shop and I would be lost without the volunteers. When they are on holiday, I miss them greatly. My team are all friendly, kind hearted, adorable, hilarious, and so extremely hard working. They have made me a better person and a better manager. They are all wonderful.
Serena S - Volunteer
Volunteering has been great for me, I have Autism and had been struggling in myself with being very shy and looking for work. I started volunteering as something to do and have learnt new skills. The staff at the shop have been very nice to me and I feel cared about in the shop. I been shy and doing volunteering has helped me overcome this – I’m doing things I would never think I would do and the staff were very encouraging and supportive of me doing this.
Holly J, Volunteering Team
My first conversation with a volunteer, when I joined the charity, was saying thank you to a man named Jon who’d given his time to lead colleagues in raising £40,000 for life-saving research – and didn’t think he’d done anything that special. It was so important to say thank you and explain the impact of his incredible support.
Alasdair B - Volunteer
Volunteered at my first Race for Life a few weeks ago and it was great! Everyone was really friendly and encouraging, and being part of the day was so fun. It made me want to sign up for more too!
Caroline-May H - Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre
Without our volunteers, Cancer Research UK would not be able to achieve everything it has done so far and will continue to do. Our volunteers are such a strong community and we really appreciate all the time and effort you give to this incredible cause. Thank you so much for everything that you do.
Jack F - Volunteering Team
Volunteers are united with us to help improve outcomes for people living with cancer. Their impact is felt across our shops and events every day. Thank you to all our volunteers!
Fiona L - Partneships
Just because volunteers are not perhaps fundraising for an event, what they do matters greatly, and their presence can make the difference of our supporters having a great experience or an average one. In the case of the ScottishPower cheer squad at Glasgow's Race for Life, this quote says it all... “You gave everybody such an amazing boost yesterday on the Raceforlife and that wee section was the highlight of my (awful!) run! It was well recognised by everyone who was doing the run and very much commented on, so, a huge thanks to you and all the volunteers – you were very much appreciated.”
Charmaine - Trading
All my volunteers are amazing and I could not run my shop smoothly without them. They are as dedicated to the charity as I am and I am so proud of each one of them.
Rachel W - Volunteering Team
I’m always utterly inspired by the generosity of Cancer Research UK’s volunteers. They are AMAZING. Thank you to each and every volunteer for the time and skills they donate to help beat cancer.
Phil Almond - Executive Director of Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement
We LOVE our volunteers, they are the heart of CRUK!
Ian - Volunteer
I've volunteered for different charities over the years but it's the friendship and being able to be of such use that I love the most at Spalding shop. It's nice to learn a skill, and to also feel so trusted with the till and pricing is huge to me. It's also incredibly fun - we laugh such a lot. Friday's definitely 'laugh day', and the customers see that too which helps make it feel so welcoming here.
Simon Ledsham - Director of Fundraising
Meeting a lady at Flame of Hope who at the amazing age of 97 had been volunteering since the age of 7 when she starting selling lemonade in her garden. 90 years of volunteering!!
Joan H - Volunteer
I started working at Cancer Research UK about 4 years ago following the loss of my lovely son, David. I've not worked in a shop before but really enjoy it. I've made new friends and feel useful. We are having a plant sale outside of our shop on Saturday and usually make a decent amount of money. I also enjoy chatting with customers in the shop and at our various sales.
Emma Hyatt - Head of Event Delivery
Our Leicester event volunteer who travelled to London Victoria Park rather than Leicester to fulfil her commitment!
Trudy Stammer - Head of Supporter Led Fundraising and Engagement
All our amazing volunteers who fundraise so we can make more discoveries and bring hope.
Nicola Smedley - Director of Marketing and Supporter Engagement
Our Muswell Hill volunteers who continue to make the Broadway bright and bring in the ££'s to beat cancer
Roisin M-D - Volunteering Team
I feel so inspired and privileged to help with shortlisting of the Flame of Hope nominations. Our volunteers are incredible and made it hard to whittle down! Thank you!
Rebecca P - Volunteering Team
Meeting our wonderful volunteers at our Regional Flame of Hope events. So many people dedicating time and energy to Cancer Research UK in all different ways. Telling me their wonderful stories and memories and reasons why they support Cancer Research UK.
Shelley E - Trading
Our naked window for Stand Up 2 Cancer! We had three volunteers and our very own assistant manager, Caroline. They stood in the window, in just their underwear, spreading awareness of how important it is to get yourself checked. The atmosphere was off the charts and the 4 wonderful people were smiley and happy. They raised an amazing £1,400 in 4 hours! A big thanks was also given to our volunteers standing outside the shop, collecting and talking to the public, and constantly in fits of giggles. Needless to say, we were in tears of joy at the end of the day, after counting the money and reflecting on what an amazing day it was.
Clare L - Partnerships
For me, volunteers are all very special people as they're at the heart of our work to help beat cancer. It's a real privilege to work with committed, dedicated people who have a genuine drive and determination to help us make a difference.
Keith H - Trading
My volunteers keep reminding me how much the little things matter. Not literally telling me though! But the joy you get through various conversations and stories you share, the smiles you see after saying thank you, all the things that happen outside of the daily tasks. They matter to the team and to myself. They keep me smiling.
Siobhan G - Volunteer
Volunteering to me means feeling like I've made a difference at the end of each day, hearing stories from customers who have had cancer and how much research really does change the future.
Fiona L - Partnerships
I am always so grateful to the ScottishPower employees who give up their weekends to come along and cheer on Race for Life participants at Glasgow. They give it their all bringing such passion and enthusiasm as well as a great sense of fun. Sign me up for next year!
Stu M - Volunteering Team
Inviting a volunteer (John) to share his story at a Cancer Research UK event and watching him inspire so many others with his passion and dedication. A truly wonderful moment!
Fiona L - Partnerships
I have a very recent memory from Race for Life Glasgow when I was volunteering along with the wonderful ScottishPower employees who gave up their Sunday morning to join the ScottishPower Cheer Squad. There were over 20 of us and together we formed a green avenue down Buchanan St, the main shopping street in central Glasgow. As participants came towards us, the look on their faces was just fantastic. They were so grateful for the support and you could see we were giving them an extra boost to keep going. It was a brilliant morning!
Mark L - Volunteer
"Happy 20th birthday Cancer Research UK", without volunteers, Cancer Research UK would not have the money to do the research into cancer. For people who are looking for their 1st job or looking for another job, volunteering is a great way to pay back to society.
Steve P - Trading
I feel very privileged that in my role, I get to meet volunteers daily in our shops. Most say to me I 'just' or 'only' volunteer a few hours a week and I reply, it's the 'only' and 'just' that keeps our shops open and help us beat cancer sooner. Thank you to all our volunteers for all their commitment and for making a difference.
Victoria W - Ambassadors & Campaigns
Our volunteers bring policy to life! They show politicians across the UK the real people and experiences behind the big numbers and the political change we need. Our volunteers have been part of some huge political changes, including laws on tobacco, cancer prevention and access to early diagnosis and treatments. Our volunteers remind us why we do what we do. When we're bogged down in strategy documents and theories of change, a story of a volunteer's reason for giving their time reinvigorates you and reminds you why you're here at Cancer Research UK.