SPONSORED EDITORIAL

There are an estimated 2.5 million people living with cancer in the UK.

As chilling as this statistic is, research has ensured that cancer survival has doubled in the last 40 years.

That’s an amazing achievement, and with your help those figures can improve even more in the coming years.

There are lots of ways you can join the fight against cancer.

As well as fundraising, donating, taking part in events and raising awareness by campaigning, volunteering is a great way to help do your bit.

Last year, Cancer Research UK charity shops raised more than £80 million in vital funds.

Volunteering in the shops can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience as it offers the chance to work in a friendly team and to make new friends.

It can also help people to get back into work part-time or anyone wanting vital retail experience.

If you’re thinking about volunteering, now’s your chance. CRUK is looking for volunteers of all ages to help out in its Kent shops, even if you can only spare a few hours every week.

Jobs range from stock sorting, clothes tagging, window dressing, to working the tills, valuing items and looking after customers.

One of CRUK’s current volunteers is Keith, who was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2012.

“By volunteering at CRUK, you are helping everyone in the fight against cancer,” he said.

Keith, who later went on a Cancer Research UK-supported clinic trial added: “I went on a STAMPEDE trial and although it may or may not benefit me but I would love to think that, in the future, it’s something that could help hundreds, or even thousands, of others.

"And in a similar way, the support of all shop volunteers will help the whole community in the future – it is only by working together that we will make a difference."

FACTFILE

Cancer Research UK is a non-government funded charity that’s making huge advances in the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer.

Click here to apply to volunteer at one of the Kent shops or text VOLUNTEER followed by your full postcode to 70200 (texts charged at standard rate). You can also e-mail us on shopheroes@cancer.org.uk

Get more on the Cancer Research UK website