Volunteer Training Days supported by players of Peoples Postcode Lottery

Over 150 volunteers will help transform the lives of young people in recovery from cancer this summer, thanks to a recent award of £575,000 from players of People's Postcode Lottery.

This new funding enabled volunteers from across the country to come together and learn what it takes to support young people after cancer as the Trust hosted its annual Training Days in Birmingham and Glasgow this month.

Volunteers are vital in the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust achieving its goal of supporting every young person who has experienced cancer.

Rosa winner of the Luke Gilbert Volunteer of the Year Award pictured with the other nominees at the Birmingham Training Day

As well as looking ahead to the new season, which gets underway with an Over 18s trip to Essex Outdoors Bradwell in April, the incredible contribution of volunteers last year was also celebrated. Rosa Coker-Burnett was presented with the annual Luke Gilbert Volunteer of the Year Award, while 16 others were recognised as nominated finalists.

To give young people optimal support, the Training Days ensure every volunteer, new or returning, is prepared with the skills required. Many of the volunteers are young people who were themselves supported by the Trust in recovery from cancer.

One volunteer said: “The Trust is very good at respecting its volunteers and making sure we are all trained to a high standard, making us feel well prepared for the season. Although it is set up to support young people, there is a similar amount of support for the volunteers.”

Frank Fletcher, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust CEO, added: “Our volunteers make an immeasurable difference to young people and the training days allow us to continue improving the quality of support we offer, to help more young people positively embrace their future after treatment.”

A record 649 young people were supported by the Trust in recovery from cancer last year. Thanks to players of Peoples Postcode Lottery even more will be able to transform their lives through Trust trips this summer.

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LUKE GILBERT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:

Ed Yelland
Bill Brown
Jonathan Roberts
Kirstie Paterson
Michael Green
Rosa Coker-Burnett
Alex Denley
Jenny Attrill
Frank Wall
Alex Rickman
Chris Allen
Raveen Dhillon
Wen Stone
Krissie Cartwright-Riley
Georgina Connah
Lee Stevenson