Yorkshire Cancer Research thanks Tadcaster volunteers

Yorkshire Cancer Research has thanked employees and volunteers following the closure of the charity’s Tadcaster shop.

A celebratory luncheon was held to recognise the outstanding contribution of the shop’s volunteers and pay tribute to the work of manager Linda Park.

Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “The Tadcaster shop was an important part of the charity for more than 50 years, helping to fund world-leading research and provide people in Yorkshire with pioneering cancer treatments.

“During the past five decades the tireless efforts of the volunteers, along with the generous support of people living in the local area, made a huge contribution to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in Yorkshire.

“The shop was the first Yorkshire Cancer Research shop on the high street, and much of what we learned from its long history has helped provide a blueprint for shops that we have since opened across the region.”

The Tadcaster shop first started trading in 1971 when local butcher Les Emmott began selling books from a table to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research. After retiring, Les arranged for the opening of the charity shop on Bridge Street.

The contribution the shop made to funding life-saving research in Yorkshire would not have been possible without the dedication of its volunteers, who collectively volunteered over a quarter of a million hours and raised more than £2 million.

The volunteers served an estimated half a million customers during this time, and, thanks to the generosity of the local community, sold 1.1 million donated items.

During the event, Linda and the shop’s volunteers were presented with a memento of their time as part of the charity. Volunteers were given a glass paperweight, engraved with a thank you from the charity.

Manager Linda Park, who ran the shop for five years, was presented with a special award in thanks for her commitment and hard work. The awards were presented by Juliet Glendinning, Director at the charity.

Juliet said: “It was an honour to be able to say a special thank you to Linda and the volunteers and mark their amazing contribution to the charity. We are incredibly grateful for their many years of dedication and hard work.”