Dunnington Cancer Support Group
21 Mar 2022
It was back in 1968 that a group of Dunnington friends started fundraising for cancer charities, after one of them lost a sister to cancer and wanted to help other people affected by the disease.
Since 1997 the group have been fundraising solely for York Against Cancer – wanting the money raised to go to local cancer patients and their families.
Anne Abbiss, current Chair of the group said, “The group was founded by Mrs. Gladys Clay with the help of Mrs. Mary Bradley, Mrs. Nancy Sellers and Mrs. Nancy Andrews. Their first donation for 2-10-00d was to Cancer Research in London.
How wonderful is it that their vision to help people whose lives have been touched by cancer is still realised today?”
The Dunnington Cancer Support Group – as it exists today – is a charity shop selling second-hand goods, operating from the village Reading Rooms in Dunnington.
The fundraising group – still led by a team of local volunteers – usually generates around £16,000 a year for York Against Cancer.
The income goes towards cancer support services for local people such as free transport to radiotherapy, seaside respite breaks and funding for ground-breaking cancer research at The University of York.
Anne Abbiss went on to say, “It’s been a tricky couple of years for our volunteers as all but three are over 70 and have therefore been self-isolating. But we haven’t been deterred – we used lock-down as an opportunity to make improvements to the shop – improve electrics, lighting and flooring.
Where we’d usually hold coffee mornings, jumble sales and a fashion show to boost our sales, we’ve held stalls outside the shop, selling books and puzzles – it all adds up!”
Julie Russell, York Against Cancer CEO said, “The Dunnington Cancer Support Group has raised over £400,000 for local cancer care – it’s unbelievable really. That’s all thanks to the hard work of local people – volunteers – and people’s generosity.”
The Dunnington Cancer Support Group charity shop is open:
- Monday – 9.30-12
- Tuesday – 9.30-12 and 1.30-4
- Thursday – 9.30-12
- Saturday – 9.30-12
The charity shop is always looking for donations of unwanted goods (except bedding because of Covid), as well as prizes for raffles and tombola’s.
Why not give them a follow on Facebook @DunningtonCancerSupportGroup
