Our Volunteers

The work carried out by Friends of the Cancer Centre simply wouldn’t be possible without our volunteers. ​

These incredible people give up their valuable time to make a real and lasting difference to the charity. 

Many of our volunteers have been with the charity since its beginning 37 years ago and we’re very lucky to have a growing volunteer base. 

We’re always on the look out for new volunteers who would like to give a little time – even a few hours – to help the charity. 

If you would like to find out more about volunteer opportunities, please email our fundraising team at [email protected] or call us on 028 9069 9393.

Volunteer Stories

Aaron Watson from Bangor has a voice that many of you will recognise. 

As a voice over artist, he is a familiar sound on your radio but since November 2019, Aaron has been using his voice for a very different reason.  Aaron is encouraging men across Northern Ireland to get checking their testicles.  And there is a good reason why.  When he was just 22 years old, Aaron was diagnosed with testicular cancer. 

Today, Aaron is cancer free and has taken on the role of the charity’s Talking Balls ambassador. His hope is that sharing his experience could help save someone’s life. 

Maud

As a long-term supporter, Maud has volunteered in so many ways to make a difference to Friends of the Cancer Centre and the families we support.  As well as being Chair of the North Down & Ards Fundraising Group, Maud also volunteers in the office once a week, providing invaluable support to the team in our busy office at the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre.

Maud explains her motivation behind being a volunteer at Friends of the Cancer Centre:

“I volunteer for Friends of the Cancer Centre because I really appreciate that all the funds raised for the charity will be used within Northern Ireland to support local patients on their cancer journey. I think it’s wonderful that the charity funds additional nursing staff, tea and coffee docks, financial grants, equipment on the wards plus vital research to ultimately increase the survival rate of many facing a diagnosis of cancer.”

Debi

Debi has been a volunteer with the charity since 2021 and helps support the fundraising team at some of our events and collections in her local area.

Debi explains how she came to volunteer at the charity:

“I contacted Friends of the Cancer Centre to volunteer because, as a former patient myself of the Bridgewater Suite in Belfast City Hospital, I’ve seen first-hand the impact their work has on both patients and family members. Friends of the Cancer Centre funded my Clinical Nurse Specialist Laura (Croan), who was an amazing resource when I had questions and really supported me throughout my treatment.

“Even the free tea and coffee that Friends of the Cancer Centre funds in the waiting area provided that little bit of comfort for my parents while they waited on my chemo sessions to end.

“I wanted to give a little back if I could.”

Our Fundraising Support Groups

We have three Fundraising Support Groups across Northern Ireland. These groups work tirelessly to increase awareness of Friends of the Cancer Centre in their local area whilst also running their own fundraising events, such as coffee mornings or sponsored walks, to help raise vital funds for local cancer patients and their families. Our wonderful groups are run by dedicated volunteers and they are always on the lookout for people like you to join them.

Lynne from our Dromore group says:

“I have just joined the Dromore Fundraising Support Group in 2023 and I really enjoy being part of the group. It’s very rewarding being able to help organise fundraising events.”

We have Fundraising Support Groups in:

  • Dromore
  • North Down & Ards
  • Fermanagh

If you would like more information on joining a group, or setting up a group in your area, please call Sarah on 028 9069 9393 or email [email protected]

We’re always in need of volunteers to join our fabulous fundraising groups, help at events or in their local community, so if you have time to spare and would like to get involved, please get in touch to find out more.

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