New Shop Volunteers Urgently Needed To Help Beat Cancer In Berkhamsted

Staff at Cancer Research UK’s store in Berkhamsted have launched an urgent appeal for volunteers.

While stock donations increased immediately after lockdown, the number of volunteers returning plummeted by nearly half in some shops.

The situation has prompted a nationwide call for help as the charity battles to claw back millions of pounds in lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With shops in Hertfordshire closed for a third time, Cancer Research UK are appealing for volunteers to register their support in time for re-opening.

Last year Cancer Research UK shops across England raised more than £75 million for life-saving research. But with shop closures and event cancellations, the charity is expecting a staggering £160 million drop in income across the UK in the year ahead.

Tom, Manager at the Berkhamsted Cancer Research UK shop, said: ‘We’re very lucky to have a great team here but sadly not all our volunteers have been able to return, largely due to health reasons.

‘After the first lockdown eased, many shops were operating with only half the usual number of volunteers.

‘The situation improved a little after that but further lockdowns haven’t helped. That’s why we’re appealing to anyone who can to give the gift of time this winter.

‘Our shop volunteers are like family to us so it was heart-breaking to close our doors and stay at home during lockdown. I can’t stress enough how vital these volunteers are. Without their help, we simply would not be able to fund our outstanding doctors, nurses and scientists.’

Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK currently funds around 50 per cent of all cancer research in the UK.

However, as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic, the charity expects to see its fundraising income decline by up to 30 per cent in the financial year ahead – putting this research at risk.

Josephine Mewett, head of retail operations at Cancer Research UK, said: ‘The fight is on to continue our research to save lives and our amazing volunteers are right at the heart of our efforts. COVID-19 has slowed us down but we will never stop.

‘Thanks to research, two in four people survive their cancer for at least 10 years and our ambition is to accelerate  progress so that by 2034, three in four people will survive their cancer. But the truth is that COVID-19 has hit us hard. With a devastating impact on our income, we’re making difficult decisions to reduce the scale and scope of our work.

‘With around 35,000 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the East region we’re determined to get back on track and our volunteers have been critical to that effort.

‘We take their safety extremely seriously and we have strict COVID procedures in place to enable our shops to operate safely. That includes keeping anyone at risk at home, even if it means fewer volunteers in our stores.’

Last year Cancer Research UK spent more than £9.3 million supporting life-saving research in the East region*, helping to fund scientists working on clinical trials, earlier detection, personalised medicine and cancer prevention.

There are lots of different jobs people can help with in stores from sorting donated stock, steaming and labelling clothing to serving at the till.

Tom added: ‘No experience is necessary to apply but till experience would be a good bonus. The main requirement is motivation and the desire to be part of a team.

‘Many volunteers come in just one morning or afternoon a week, or sometimes just help over the busy lunchtime period. A few hours can make a huge difference and it can be a great way of adding to your CV. No matter how much time a person can give or what their experience, we are urging people to get in touch.

‘Our feedback shows that volunteers tend to smile more, feel less stressed and more useful and generally more positive about having found a new purpose in life. There’s a real sense of camaraderie and all pulling together for one reason – to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.’

To sign up or to find out more about volunteering, visit: cancerresearchuk.org/shopvol