Yorkshire Cancer Research volunteer receives community award

A Yorkshire Cancer Research volunteer has received a community award for her years of charity work.

Eileen Broadbent was presented with the Holme Valley Parish Council Community Champion Award in recognition of her 'significant contribution made to civic good causes within the Holme Valley’.

She said: “Someone from the council called me to tell me I’d won the award and I was so surprised. I wasn’t told who had nominated me, so it was really unexpected.”

Eileen has volunteered for Yorkshire Cancer Research as part of the Huddersfield volunteer group since her husband passed away from cancer in 2006. She has been treasurer of the group for the past seven years.

She said: “I’m very passionate about raising funds and awareness of the charity, which funds £10 million of world-leading research each year to improve early diagnosis and discover new and better treatments for people with cancer.”

As well as supporting Yorkshire Cancer Research, Eileen has helped other causes in the community since moving to Honley in the Holme Valley parish in 1970. Her husband Allan became a Scout leader in 1971 and over the next 30 years Eileen helped fundraise for the group.

After her husband passed away, Eileen fundraised for Yorkshire Cancer Research by holding an annual barbeque. The event took place each year for a decade, and in that time raised £12,000.

A memorial walk organised by Allan’s former Scout group raised a further £1,200.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Eileen has been running a book stall from her home, raising more than £4,000 for the charity.

“I started the bookstall for people who were walking past after I’d cleared out lots of books during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

“I initially thought I’d stop doing it once things began to open up, but it’s continued to be really popular. People are always happy to support the cause.”

Eileen was presented by her award by Councillor Michael Pogson.

Michael said: “This is a remarkable achievement, and this award is a public acknowledgement of the important work Eileen is doing. We are thankful for the difference Eileen’s work has made.”