CHESTER VOLUNTEER’S DEDICATION TO CHARITY EARNS NATIONAL PRAISE

A Chester volunteer has scooped a national award from Cancer Research UK in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the cause.

The charity’s annual Flame of Hope Awards acknowledge remarkable efforts in volunteering made by people from all walks of life.  

Stephen Owen aged 56 from Hoole, was named a Cancer Research UK Honorary Fellow in celebration of his exceptional loyalty and dedication to the cause over many years.  

He picked up the award last week at a ceremony in Manchester hosted by Jenny Murgatroyd, Divisional Senior Manager at Cancer Research UK. 

An audience at the Manchester Hall heard how Stephen has volunteered at Cancer Research events for over 12 years following the death of his wife Caroline from breast cancer. 

Stephen said: “I was deeply honoured to be put forward and to be awarded the honorary fellowship. 

“Our Cancer Research UK volunteers are selfless, and we do it because we want to help support a very good cause. The reward you get as a volunteer is the knowledge that things are going in the right direction and that the research is being done to help beat cancer.” 

Stephen first became aware of Race for Life events after his wife and daughters took part in an event during her treatment. After she passed away, he wanted to do something to honour her memory.  

He said: “I was acutely aware that I wanted to do something. The following year a lot of my wife’s friends were participating in Race for Life to remember Caroline. 

“I wanted to put myself forward to volunteer, I requested to hand out the medals at the finishing line which in hindsight might not have been the best thing to do because it was an incredibly emotional thing to do.” 

Since then Stephen has become a Key Volunteer with Cancer Research UK and volunteers at up to 20 events across the North West every year. 

He said: “It’s snowballed! I’ve advanced my role to do all sorts of things such as Event Marshal, Back Marker, Stage Manager and even mascot! I’m usually there first thing in the morning until we put everything in the van at the end of the day, so it can be 12 hours on some occasions. 

“Throughout Covid I really missed my Cancer Research UK family, it was very prevalent to me that it’s a bigger part of my life than I’d realised.  

“I think it’s the knowledge, whatever you’re doing for Cancer Research UK, that it’s a collective. Everyone is part of a group doing something to advance the research of Cancer Research UK, so there’s a great positivity with it. 

“It’s always a lovely day, there’s sad and reflective moments throughout the day and everyone is there for a reason. But that’s not always a sad reflection, it can be very joyous. 

“When you’ve participated at an event weekend you have the joyous feeling throughout the whole of the following week. Everyone’s there to move forward the work of Cancer Research UK.” 

Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “The past 18 months has shown us – more than ever – how fortunate we are to have the support of our incredible volunteers. 

“The Flame of Hope awards give us the opportunity to celebrate and say thank you to our dedicated volunteers 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.  Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives but this has only been only possible thanks to the commitment of our supporters and volunteers, without whom we would be unable to fund outstanding scientists, doctors and nurses.” 

Stephen was among a total of 80 individuals and groups from across the UK recognised at the awards ceremony. 

The 2021 Flame of Hope awards are being held at six locations across the UK throughout November. 

Paul Boden, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Chester, said: “This is the first year we have celebrated our Flame of Hope award winners with events across the UK - making the occasions more personal for our amazing supporters. 

“It’s thanks to the support of the fundraising public and our amazing army of volunteers that we can continue to make a real difference and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.” 

Cancer Research UK has celebrated the achievements of more than 1,500 people since launching its Flame of Hope awards in 2013.  

For more information about Cancer Research UK visit:

cruk.org 

Pictured - Stephen Owen, from Hoole, at a Race for Life event.