Cowbridge branch raises funds to support life-saving research despite Covid setbacks
A COWBRIDGE charity shop has raised over £1,700 for Stand Up To Cancer, despite setbacks from Covid regulations while fundraising.
In previous years, the Cancer Research UK shop raised money by holding fashion shows, sponsored walks and donation collections from supermarkets.
But due to current Covid regulations, they have had to be more creative this year when fundraising for Stand Up To Cancer – which funds research and therapies for the disease and is supported by Channel 4.
Samantha Griffiths, 52, shop manager at the Cowbridge branch, has worked at the charity for 16 years.
She said: “This year we contacted our local businesses on the high street and received over 20 prizes for our prize draw, which we are selling tickets for £1. We are also asking customers if they would like to round up to the nearest pound at the till for Stand Up To Cancer when purchasing any items.”
The first prize is a signed rugby ball by Callum Sheedy and Ioan Lloyd from the Bristol Bears rugby team.
Local businesses such as West Hampton, Arthur John, Harry’s, Goose Island, and many more have also donated products to the prize draw.
Mrs Griffiths added: “The local community has also been a great support. Many businesses have supported us by putting Stand Up To Cancer goblets in their stores and pubs, even getting their staff to wear pins and bracelets to support the fundraiser. Seasons Christmas Outlet in Bridgend is also raising funds on behalf of the store, they have currently raised over £170.
“Cancer Research UK is very close to my heart. My dad passed away from cancer, my Mum survived cancer, and I can’t count how many other relatives who have had it. The research and the fundraising we are doing here is so vital, as one in two people will battle cancer in their lifetime.”
Alan Parker, 44, a Professor of Translational Virotherapies, based at Cardiff University School of Medicine, often volunteers his time fundraising at the Cowbridge shop.
His research is supported by a programme grant, totalling close to £1.4m, from Cancer Research UK and Stand Up To Cancer, which focuses on training viruses to infect and kill cancer cells.
Professor Parker said: “The donations raised by Stand Up To Cancer fund some of the most cutting edge and exciting research in the Cancer Research UK portfolio; research with a real chance of being translated into meaningful clinical trials in the very near future.
“For me, it is a huge honour to be funded by both Cancer Research UK and Stand Up To Cancer. The funds raised will help push our research on training viruses to fight cancer more rapidly.
“I am hugely grateful to those at the Cowbridge branch for their immense efforts in raising such a significant amount of much-needed funds to support our life-saving research around the UK.”
Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer telethon raised £31 million in donations this year, which will help fund translational cancer research.
The prize draw for Stand Up To Cancer will be announced on Saturday, November 13th at 4pm. To enter, visit the Cowbridge branch on High Street, CF71 7AH.
