Donations and volunteers urgently needed at two Cancer Research UK shops

Gordon Fisher and Pam Hough have notched-up more than 20 years between them volunteering at the Cancer Research UK shop in Chorley – and they’re appealing for others to join

them.

Gordon, 41, from Chorley, knows first-hand just how important new breakthroughs are to help more people survive.

His mum Kath Fisher fought cancer on five separate occasions before sadly dying two years ago.

Gordon started to volunteer at the shop a decade ago. He is now employed by the charity one day a week, but during the pandemic he volunteered almost every day to help out whenever

the shop was allowed to open.

“The team in the shop are brilliant, we have friendly customers with lots of regulars.

“And I know how important research is after losing my mum to cancer. She was a lovely lady and went through a lot.”

Pam Hough used to work as the manager of one of the Cancer Research UK Chorley shops 20 years ago, and also managed the Blackburn store.

The 70-year-old, who also lives in Chorley, has volunteered for the past decade.

Pam, who has four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, said: “Volunteering is a brilliant way to feel you are contributing and helping others, it’s good to be part of such

a friendly team and I really enjoy meeting so many new people and keeping busy.”

Gordon and Pam are also appealing for lockdown de-clutterers to dig out and drop off donations at the two stores in Chapel Street.

They urgently need new or pre-loved bargains, fashion one-offs, summer clothing, and homeware treasures.

Cancer Research UK expects to see its fundraising income decline by a staggering £300m over the next three years, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But with around 42,000 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the North West, the charity is determined to continue its mission.

Every bag of donated items could raise up to £25 or £31 with Gift Aid if the donor is a UK taxpayer.

Shop manager, Rosie Christie, said: “Covid-19 has hit us hard. Our shops typically contribute more than £25 million each year to vital research, so we’re grateful to Gordon and Pam for

rallying the community to help us fight back.

“They both give up so much time and energy to help us out. I hope their enthusiasm will inspire others to volunteer.

“We’re also calling on everyone who’s had a spring-clean, wardrobe detox or cupboard clear out in lockdown to please bag up and bring in any unwanted items.

“Right now, we need quality clothing and shoes, ideally for this season, as well as homeware, books and accessories to help keep our tills – and bargain hunters – busy. Most important of

all, the sale of these items helps to ensure we can keep making progress for people with cancer.”

The charity currently funds around 50 per cent of all publicly funded cancer research in the UK and is the only UK charity fighting more than 200 types of the disease.

Rosie added: “One in two people will get cancer in their lifetime, which is why we’re absolutely determined to continue to create better cancer treatments for tomorrow.

“Our research has played a role in developing 8 of the world’s top 10 cancer drugs and we’re working every day to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. But we can’t

do it alone.

“Every step our scientists take towards beating cancer relies on every pound raised. So, whether they shop, donate or volunteer their time - with the help of people in Chorley we believe

that together we will beat cancer.”

Shop staff recommend phoning ahead before visiting with donations, as safety measures may mean that storage space is limited.

For more information on Cancer Research UK shops, opening hours or volunteering visit cruk.org/shops.

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