THREE BRAVE cancer survivors have opened a new charity superstore dedicated to saving lives.
Joshua Johns from Salford, Carolyn Hall from Whitefield and Daniel Anders from Salford, all cut the ribbon at the official opening ceremony of Greater Manchester’s first Cancer Research UK superstore at Regent Road Retail Park.
The Salford superstore, which at 6,000 square feet is the biggest Cancer Research UK store in the North West and more than five times the size of a traditional Cancer Research UK shop, has a huge selection of items at discount prices. It is part of a plan to meet customer demand for more accessible stores with easy access and plenty of parking.
Clothing, homeware, books, toys and electrical goods are all priced at £3 or less, with higher value items – such as furniture – identified with a golden ticket. All profits raised will go towards funding Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work to help more men, women and children survive the disease.
Joshua Johns, aged 12, is now enjoying life at All Hallows RC Secondary School which he joined in September of this year. However, his family’s life was turned upside down in 2014 when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
Joshua, who lives in Higher Broughton, bravely coped with bone marrow tests, lumbar punctures, chemotherapy and steroids. He also became a local celeb after receiving more than 3,800 postcards from well-wishers around the world.
He now has check-ups every three months, is fit and well and enjoying a happy and normal life.
Joshua said: “I’m thrilled to be helping out at the superstore launch. I know how important research is and feel lucky to be so fit and well now. There were some dark times during my treatment, but my amazing family never gave up on me and we are just so happy to have come through the other side.”
Carolyn Hall, from Whitefield, had just celebrated her 40th birthday when she found a lump on her right breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Carolyn had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. She also underwent chemotherapy treatment.
Mum-of-two Carolyn, now aged 46, who runs her own business, said: “I’m delighted to be involved in the opening of the new superstore as it will raise money for such an amazing cause. As well as having to go through treatment for breast cancer myself, I lost my mum to cancer, so my family is only too aware of the importance of research into the disease.”
Daniel Anders, who lives at Salford Quays, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2012. He had just finished training to be an events manager.
Daniel, who lost his grandparents to cancer, underwent four courses of chemotherapy and two weeks of radiotherapy treatment.
He made a good recovery and became director of his own home care agency in Cheshire.
Daniel was given the all-clear in July 2017. He recently celebrated his 30th birthday by throwing a circus themed bash and raised money for Cancer Research UK.
He said: “Even though I knew in my own body that I had something serious I couldn’t quite take it in when they told me. I was only 23 at the time and it was scary, But I am so glad to still be here and coming to support the new superstore is great fun. It’s only around the corner from my flat, so I will be popping in again to pick up a bargain.”
Every hour around five people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West. The new superstore has a private room where customers can pick up accurate information or freephone Cancer Research UK specialist nurses who can answer questions on any cancer topic.
Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress. But more funds and supporters are needed to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. Cancer Research UK spends around £28 million a year in the North West on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.
Volunteers are needed to help run the new Salford superstore. Flexible hours are available and anyone interested in volunteering is invited to call in to the shop to find out more. The shop is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am until 6.30pm, Saturdays 9am until 6pm and Sundays 11am to 5pm.
Donations of good-quality clothes, shoes, bags are being taken by the store. Each bag of donated clothes is worth up to £25 – even more if supporters sign up for Gift Aid. The new superstore also offers free collection for donated items of furniture.
To find out more about Cancer Research UK’s shops, visit www.cancerresearchuk/shop
Follow Cancer Research UK Salford Superstore on Twitter @CRUKSalford
