Bexhill MP, Huw Merriman, recently visited the Bexhill Cancer Research Shop to find out more about the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to support national charity.
Predictions show that the number of people with cancer in the UK is set to rise steeply by 2030.
That’s why the MP has joined forces with Cancer Research UK to help accelerate the progress the charity is making and highlight the power of research in beating the disease. He is encouraging people to support the charity in any way they can, whether it’s donating or buying from the shop, volunteering for a few hours a week, or signing up for a sporting challenge.
Huw was met by shop manager, Mel, who explained how the income from Cancer Research shops around the UK generate over £80 million towards life-saving research. Mel’s own team of 40 volunteers contribute towards this by helping in a wide range of jobs in the shop including sorting donations, preparing goods for sale and helping customers.
The steady stream of customers of all ages who came into the shop during Huw’s visit highlighted that all generations find shopping in charity shops appealing for a wide variety of reasons. One customer told Huw that she felt that by shopping in the Cancer Research she was ensuring that she was helping the environment as well as supporting a good cause as charity shops prevent a lot of good clothing from ending up in landfill.
The Cancer Research shop turns around its stock every two weeks to ensure that its offer remains fresh and interesting. In addition to donations, they also sell new products which generate interest from a different customer base.
Speaking after the visit Huw said “I know that Bexhill is home to a number of charity shops for which the town has occasionally made the national headlines but the fact is that customers both local and from afar find their visits to these shops interesting and rewarding. Mel and her team of volunteers in the Bexhill Cancer Research job do a terrific job at generating income for this really important charity which funds research into all aspects of cancer and supports the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses. Mel told me that last year the charity spent £423 million on research institutes, hospitals and universities across the UK. This is a staggering amount but with one in two of us now receiving a cancer diagnosis at some point in our lives, their research and drug development work is essential to all of us.”
Cancer Research UK’s Bexhill shop manager, Mel, said: “Every donation made, every hour volunteered and every person who supports Cancer Research UK takes us closer to beating cancer.
“We hope the people of Bexhill will really get behind us. In particular, we’re looking for new volunteers in the shop and of course we’re always looking for people to donate more items.
“It’s great to have the support of Huw Merriman MP with raising awareness, as there’s still so much more we need to do to ensure no-one’s life is cut short by cancer. But by boosting support and funding now, the best research teams will be able to develop better ways to prevent, control and cure the disease and help save many more lives.”
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 www.cancerresearchuk.org.
