Back to the business of helping beat cancer

People in the North East are being urged to help a leading charity get back to the business of beating cancer as restrictions on non-essential retail lift.

Staff and volunteers at Cancer Research UK shops are rolling up their sleeves ready to try to claw back millions of pounds in lost sales.

But they urgently need people who took advantage of lockdowns to de-clutterers their homes to drop off their donations and help fill the shops’ shelves.

The charity fears its fundraising income could decline by a staggering £300million over the next three years, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The charity’s spokeswoman Lisa Millett, said: “Covid-19 has hit us hard. Our shops typically contribute more than £25million a year to vital research, so we need to enlist the support of the whole community to help us fight back.

“Shopping really can save lives.

"That’s why we’re calling on everyone who’s had a spring-clean, wardrobe detox or cupboard clear out to please bring in any unwanted items.”

She added: “Right now, we need quality clothing, shoes, homeware, accessories and books to help keep our tills – and bargain hunters – busy.

"Most important of all, selling these items helps to ensure we can keep making progress against cancer.”

Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of the progress that has seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.

Donations can be dropped off at most Cancer Research UK shops from today.

The charity recommends phoning ahead before visiting because safety measures mean that storage space is limited.