“Each and every day 739 people in the UK are told they have cancer.” It is a profound and moving statistic and with more than one in three people being diagnosed at some time in their life, one that affects all of us.  Volunteers working with Macmillan’s Cancer Relief fundraising group in Leighton Buzzard can make a real difference to the range of support services available to local people whose lives are touched by this illness. 

Macmillan are probably best known for providing specialist nurses, healthcare, and practical and emotional support to people living with cancer.   They rely on voluntary donations, with passionate and dedicated people in local communities using imaginative ways to generate funds. 

The Leighton Buzzard Fundraising Group has been running for the past 17 years and is looking to invite new volunteers to join them in planning future fundraising events.  Andy Jeron, Volunteer Journalist at Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire, met with the group to find out how local people can get involved.

Whether you can spare an hour a month, writing acknowledgment letters to people that have donated, or an afternoon helping out at a local event they would love to hear from you.

The group is also looking for enthusiastic people to undertake key roles that will enable their work to continue, so if you’re interested in strategic direction and co-ordinating future events or have basic book-keeping skills to maintain the books and record donations, your support is welcomed.

Do you have administrative skills? A creative mind? Are you full of ideas? Then joining the fundraising group will be a great opportunity for you to develop events from start to finish that raise vital funds for cancer relief in the local community.

The Leighton Buzzard fundraising group is self governing and prides itself on being a social and friendly organisation. As a volunteer you will join a team of enthusiastic and committed people who will appreciate your efforts and offer on-going support. You can expect to make new friends, have fun, see your creative fundraising ideas become a reality and most importantly know that you make a real contribution.

Doug Russell for Macmillan Cancer Relief testifies to the important role that the Leighton Buzzard fundraising group provide to the local community. “The group has a presence at fetes, concerts and other community events and is always looking for new ideas.  They helped support and raise funds for the Macmillan Unit at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital, and with their continued efforts are helping to secure the support services of an additional consultant, Pharmacist, and Urology nurse. Volunteers joining the Leighton Buzzard fundraising group will help ensure that the local community has excellent cancer relief services for the future”.

To find out more about these or any other local volunteering opportunities contact Georgina Sorrell or Cat Edwards at the Volunteer Centre at Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire on 01525 850559 or email volunteer@action-southbeds.org.uk   

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About Voluntary and Community Action
Voluntary and Community Action is committed to strengthening the effectiveness of the voluntary and community sector in South Bedfordshire by developing, enabling, promoting and supporting voluntary and community action. It seeks to achieve this through advocacy; capacity building activities; enhancing the provision of volunteering opportunities; the exchange of information; the provision of training; advice and consultancy; and by working in partnership with others.

Contact:             Georgina Sorrell, Volunteering Adviser
Address:             Bossard House
                          West Street
                          Leighton Buzzard
                          Bedfordshire LU7 1DA
Telephone:          01525 850559                                  Email:                 volunteer@action-southbeds.org.uk