WARRINGTON volunteer Veronica Hyland has scooped a national award from Cancer Research UK in recognition of her 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.
Veronica, aged 65 from Culcheth in Warrington, was named a Cancer Research UK Honorary Fellow in celebration of her exceptional loyalty and dedication to the cause over many years.
She picked up the award earlier this 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 retired IT professional Veronica has volunteered to help organise Race for Life and other Cancer Research events across the North West for over 12 years.
Veronica first got involved with the events following to death of her Mother in law. Since then she has taken part in races across the North West despite being diagnosed with cancer twice.
She said: “Receiving something like this is lovely and it feels really special. It was a wonderful day meeting all of the other volunteers and hearing about what they do and how they raise money for Cancer Research.
“I’ve really enjoyed volunteering at Race for Life Events. I first started helping out as it got to the point where I couldn’t keep asking people for sponsorship money! So, I put myself forward to volunteer.
“Once you’ve been involved for so many years you can really step into any role and help the event organisers.
“It’s wonderful to be involved with. I’m retired now and I love working with younger people and seeing so many families and groups of friends coming together to raise money.”
Her most memorable moment from volunteering came when she stood on stage to launch the races at Haydock Racecourse in 2012 and Tatton Park in 2014, sharing her story with the thousands of runners taking part.
“It was an amazing feeling to be the person who stood on stage and told my story, which tends not to be too much about being ill, but about getting better. Being up on stage and seeing the thousands of people in front of you in pink and starting off the race was fantastic. It was a real highlight for me.”
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.”
Veronica was among a total of 80 individuals and groups from across the UK recognised at the awards ceremony.
The 2021 Flame of Hope awards is being held at six locations across the UK throughout November.
But for now, Veronica is looking forward to Race for Life events beginning again next year.
“I can’t wait. I’ll probably do around 10 next year across the North West. We need to do the fundraising.
“Fundraising has been so, so difficult this past 18 months. I benefitted from the research for sure, some of the drugs I had, and the trials have been paid for and run by CRUK and all patients benefit from these things. I can’t wait for the events to get going again.”
Paul Boden, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Warrington, 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
Veronica Hyland with her award
