How Stan’s helped keep the Flame of Hope burning for 45 years
Charity champion’s ‘integral’ role in raising £1.2m for Cancer Research
CHARITY champion Stan Winterton has been honoured for playing an ‘integral’ part in raising more than £1.2 million for Cancer Research.
The charity’s annual Flame of Hope Awards recognises ‘remarkable’ efforts in volunteering made by people from all walks of life.
And Stan, aged 76, received the Honorary Fellowship accolade for his outstanding contribution to the cause over the past 45 years.
The retired Cheddleton farmer received the award at a ceremony in Manchester and said: “It was a great honour to receive this award, and I had a wonderful day at the ceremony.
“I felt quite choked up when I went up to receive my Flame of Hope, as it put me in mind of my parents, who both died of cancer at the relatively young ages of 53 and 55.
“It was me that received the award but I have always worked as part of the incredible and vibrant Cheddleton committee who have been central to all our successful fundraising.”
President of the Cheddleton Cancer Research UK committee for over a decade, Stan has been involved in countless flagship events including carnival day, bonfire and firework night and the Churnet Valley Ball, as well as numerous marquee lunches and garden parties at his family home.
A keen runner since his first Potteries Marathon in 1982, Stan has also run the London Marathon on several occasions to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
It was this enthusiasm for running that inspired his creation of the now legendary Cheddleton Pudding Run, an idea born when his daughter was fundraising for the charity as Carnival Queen.
Now in its 38th year, the popular event consists of a 10k run or twomile fun run around the village on the last weekend in November, with participants bagging a Christmas pudding at the finish line. It has so far raised more than a staggering £120,000.
Cancer Research UK relationship manager for the Leek area, Paula Sheehan, who nominated Stan for the award, said: “Stan is phenomenal.
His dedication and determination know no bounds, and this was demonstrated last year when the pandemic put a halt to the group’s plans.
“Never to be defeated, Stan was adamant it would go ahead and used his innovative mind to find a solution with a virtual event, raising over £3,000.
“He is a total inspiration and he thoroughly deserves to receive this award.”
Jane Redman, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Staffordshire, said: “This is the first year we have celebrated our Flame of Hope award winners with events across the UK - making the occasion more personal for our amazing supporters. “These awards are our way of honouring incredible people like Stan who give their time freely to raise money for research and promote greater awareness of the disease, and yet ask for nothing in return.” Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’S chief executive, said: “The Flame of Hope awards give us the opportunity to celebrate and say thank you to our dedicated volunteers and supporters for the fantastic work they continue to do. “One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime, and we can all play a part to help beat it.”