LEADING charity Cancer Research UK has issued a huge thank you to the people of Widnes for supporting their local charity shop for 30 years.
Since the Widnes Road shop opened, it has generated income of almost £2 million for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.
As well as the customers who have so generously donated goods and purchased items in its shop, the charity has also praised the team of staff and volunteers who have dedicated their time to making it such a success.
Volunteers past and present turned out to help celebrate the big birthday including the store’s longest serving volunteer Joan Cubbon who has volunteered at the shop since 1987. They enjoyed looking at old photos of the shop as well as a birthday cake at the celebration yesterday (on Thursday 30 August).
Joan said: “I’ve benefited from volunteering by making new friends and keeping active. I enjoy the challenge of raising money for Cancer Research UK as well as meeting customers.”
Mary McVeigh-Emson is also one of the store’s longest serving volunteers who has worked in the shop since 1994.
She said: “The thing I enjoy about working in the Widnes shop is how productive the shop is and how committed the team is to CRUK. Being a survivor myself, I volunteered to give something back.
Store Manager Sue Bessant, who has worked at the store for 15 years and as manager for the last six year, said: “We are so proud to celebrate 30 years here in Widnes and to be part of an amazing team. We couldn’t do it without the wonderful support of all the volunteers and staff here in Widnes.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers and staff who have given their time over the years and have done such a fantastic job.
“We’re also very grateful for the support of the community and we hope they’ll continue to support our work.
“Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for our life-saving research and so we rely on the people who support us by shopping with us, making a donation or generously offering their time.
“The money generated funds research to beat cancer sooner, helping to ensure more men, women and children in the North West and across the UK survive.
“Cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of this progress. However, we are only able to achieve this thanks to the dedication and commitment of our supporters.”
Since the shop opened in 1986 there have been many changes
Each year over 41,700 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West.
Cancer Research UK carries out ground-breaking research in the North West and across the UK to help beat cancer sooner.
For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit cruk.org. If you would like to volunteer at the Widnes Road shop, please call 0151 423 4429.
