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Looking forward

Though we came from humble beginnings, we’re so happy to have had such a significant impact on the people of York. We are a small team with big aspirations.

Meet The Team

Julie Russell

Julie Russell

Chief Executive Officer
Julie is responsible for the strategic management of the charity and driving York Against Cancer forward. She has been in post since 2006 and says she considers herself lucky to have such a worthwhile and rewarding job.

Heather Atkinson

Heather Atkinson

Deputy CEO and Head of Finance
As Deputy CEO and Head of Finance, Heather keeps our house in order. She says: "Being part of such a small, local organisation means I get to be involved in most aspects of the charity. I consider myself very privileged to enjoy such a varied and rewarding job."

Nicola Doherty

Nicola Doherty

Head of Office Administration & Volunteer Co-ordinator
Head of Office Administration & Volunteer Co-ordinator Nicola oversees the day to day operations of York Against Cancer – we’d be lost without her! She says: “It is lovely speaking to people who use York Against Cancer’s services and the fabulous fundraisers who help to make these things happen."

Jess Valenghi

PR Consultant
Jess works with the team to support with PR and Communications. Jess says; 'Working with the team at York Against Cancer is such a pleasure, the team and the volunteers make it such a wonderful place to be!"

Alice Freeman-Cuerden

Marketing Assistant
Alice joined us as a marketing assistant in February 2023, she says, "The York Against Cancer team and volunteers are always welcoming and kind. It is wonderful to be a part of an organisation that exists to support people."

Jill Hutchinson

Head of Retail
Jill joined the team to manage and develop the York Against Cancer retail outlets at York Stadium and York Hospital. Jill will work alongside volunteers, manage online sales and will be responsible for choosing and purchasing new stock. Jill says, "I've already met a lot of the volunteers and know there's many more to meet. Everyone has been so warm and welcoming. I'm really looking forward to working with the volunteers - their contribution to York Against Cancer is invaluable."

Neil Johnson

Neil Johnson

Minibus Driver
Neil is a former police armed response officer. When he retired, he was intending to take six months off, until he spotted our ad for a minibus driver. He said: “I love this job. I had more people saying thanks in the first week here than I had had in the previous 30 years!”

Garry Stanton

Minibus Driver
Garry has had a varied career including 23 years in the police force, starting his working life in the Royal Navy as a missileman on board the HMS Brilliant. Garry added ‘I really enjoy meeting new people and giving a little bit back to the community which I find very rewarding’.


Our team includes CEO Julie Russell who has been a long-standing member of the charity, having to date served over 17 years, Deputy CEO Heather Atkinson, Head of Volunteers Nicola Doherty, PR Consultant Jess Valenghi, Marketing Assistand Alice Freeman-Cuerden, Retail Manager Jill Hutchinson, Leveson Centre Manager Debbie Smith and Assistant Manager Victoria Edwards.

The team are joined by a whole host of volunteers who help with working in the shops, driving the minibus, helping in the office and hosting events.

New beginnings

Having launched a new brand in 2017, we have smashed our £100,000 fundraising target. In May 2021 we moved to our new headquarters at the York Community Stadium, and will continue to serve the York community for 30 years and beyond.

£700,000

Mobile chemotherapy unit

£1.3 million

Funding into urological cancers

£15 million

Local cancer care, research and education

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