August update from our CEO, Andy
Summer has a habit of slipping away quickly, and this one has been no exception. But what a summer it has been for York Against Cancer. Over the past few weeks, I have moved between moments that remind me exactly why I love this job, from helping a lady in clear emotional distress stood outside our office door, taking her down to The Leveson Centre and seeing the team doing their thing, amazing care and compassion, being part of the judges trying to choose between hundreds of wonderful photographs for our 2027 calendar, to seeing a glass cabinet full of our gifts from our shops in one of York’s finest hotels. Let me share a few of the highlights.
We held the judging day for our 2027 Yorkshire Focus Calendar in August, and the standard of entries from right across Yorkshire was outstanding. I say genuinely that it was a very close judging on every photo. Each photograph told a story, and the final selection is going to make a calendar to be proud of. Thank you to everyone who submitted an image, and hearty congratulations to those whose photographs will appear in the finished calendar. This is a genuinely lovely project, and the money it raises goes straight into the services our community depends on.
There has been important work happening behind the scenes too, to keep the charity safe and looking to the future. We have gone live with a new IT provider, Techscend Limited, as part of our ongoing commitment to cyber security, protecting the charity, and the supporters who put their trust in it. We have also held our first project meeting with See Green Limited, who are building a completely new website for us, which will be with us before the end of the year. I have seen the early thinking, and it is going to be something special, a great platform to support us as we move into 40 years of York Against Cancer.
We were thrilled to catch up with our wonderful new charity partners at the Dean Court Hotel this month. They are selling York Against Cancer teddy bears in every one of their bedrooms and have kindly given us a beautiful glass display cabinet in their reception, filled with gifts from our shops for their guests to purchase. It is a partnership we are immensely proud of – every bear and every gift take our name out into the world while raising vital funds. Incredible partnership.
There have been moments this month that make you pause, and the arrival of ‘Yorkshire’s Finest’ was certainly one of them. Photographer David Charles brought us his complete book, a labour of love ten years in the making, and it shows. It is a stunning collection of photographs and words featuring some of Yorkshire’s most well-loved celebrities: actors, cricketers, footballers, rock stars, chefs, boxers, and many more, with Dame Judi Dench, our wonderful Patron, gracing the cover and centre pages. All proceeds from the book go to York Against Cancer, so as well as being a beautiful gift, it is a gift that keeps giving. Whilst an investment at £85, you will own a piece of Yorkshire, and remember the famous people from our glorious county, whilst supporting the vital work we do. You can pre-order a copy of this wonderful book online if you would like to.
A few of the team also attended the York Professionals Summer Social this month, in support of another of our fabulous charity partners, and I was pleased to have the chance to say a few words to the business owners gathered there. The generosity of the Yorkshire business community never fails to impress me, and new interest and awareness of the charity is growing week on week.
Anyone visiting Vangarde will have seen the big change up at the stadium. For too long, people told us they could not find our shop, it was almost invisible in the façade of the Community Stadium. Well, it is visible now. The new shop front looks fantastic, and I hope you will come and see it for yourselves. Our hospital shop is also getting a makeover, so watch this space.
And a date for the diary for anyone who would like to meet me properly: my ‘Meet the CEO’ day returns on Friday 2nd October, giving you the chance to come and sit down with me, ask anything and share your ideas. To book a slot, just email andy.knowles@yorkagainstcancer.org.uk.
Behind all of it, as always, are the people who make this charity what it is – our volunteers giving their time so generously, and a small team who come to work every day and quietly do extraordinary things. Finally, you, our supporters, are always doing your bit to help us grow and offer more services. Seven months in post now, that is what I remain most certain of. The people here are the difference.
On to the autumn. There is a great deal to do, and I would not want to be doing it anywhere else.
Thank you, as always, for being part of York Against Cancer.
