National award for Chris
Volunteer with the Charnwood Befrienders
A LOUGHBOROUGH cancer survivor has been honoured by Macmillan Cancer Support’s annual volunteer awards.
Chris Hughes was awarded the national Deborah Hutton Award, which recognises volunteers who support people affected by cancer.
Chris is a volunteer with the Charnwood Befrienders and the My Cancer Stories project at Leicester Royal Infirmary, an online support service for people who have battled cancer.
He is currently training to become a Macmillan HOPE (Help Overcome Problems Effectively) course facilitator to support people emotionally after cancer treatment.
Chris said: “I had cancer 11 years ago and was supported by Macmillan. When I retired I knew I wanted to do something as I had learned so much from my experience – put my learning to good use or it would have been a waste otherwise.
“I have supported someone who had received a terminal diagnosis. I got to know them as a reasonably fit and able individual, so we went on walks - everyday things. As his cancer progressed, I was able to help him with e-mails and research and yes, planning his own funeral. I was there towards the end supporting the family who just wanted to spend time with him.
“Everyone needs different types of support and some people need more support than others. For some people, it’s practical, like helping with the cleaning or shopping. Other people just need someone to talk to.
“One of the couples I recently supported was a husband and wife. The wife had lung cancer and her husband had mobility issues. They needed someone to chat to as well as going food shopping and collecting prescriptions.
“Because I’ve had cancer myself, we could speak very openly about things that were important to them.
“Knowing that it is the little things you do that make a massive difference to the individual or the family.
“Saying ‘let me put the kettle on’ can make such a huge difference to how people feel at that moment and that’s what we are there to do”.
On hearing he had won the award, Chris said: “I am very humbled but mindful of those friends who are not about to share it with me. Also, I want to share the recognition with the other volunteers at Charnwood Befrienders, as this is not just about one individual but a team of people who all want to make a difference”.
Although face-to-face volunteering is on hold, there are still a number of ways you can volunteer for Macmillan to support people living with cancer.
Find out at the website www.macmillan.org.uk/volunteer or by e-mailing:
volunteering@macmillan.org. uk