Latest news with #CancerResearch
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Major charity shop with over 600 stores across the UK to close city site after 35 years
A MAJOR charity chain with over 600 stores has confirmed it will shut one of its beloved high street branches in weeks. Cancer Research UK has announced it would be closing its Plymoth location this month after 35 years of serving the local community. 2 2 Cancer Research in Stoke, Plymoth is shutting up shop for the last time on June 21. The decision was made in March with bosses saying the store was "no longer a financially viable option". A charity spokesperson said: "This decision was not taken lightly, as we understand the significant impact a shop closure can have on the community. "We have a responsibility to ensure that we are using charity funds effectively and efficiently to maximise our contribution to life-saving research. "Whilst we explore all avenues before making the decision to close a shop, unfortunately, the Stoke (Plymouth) shop was no longer a financially viable option." They thanked the staff and volunteers for having been "powerful ambassadors" for the charity. Locals have been left heartbroken at the news with Councillor Jemima Laing calling the shop "part of the fabric of life" in the community. She told BBC: "People have described it [the shop] to me as a 'hub' which is so much more than a shop and offers a listening ear to people, often grieving, as they drop off their donations." The shop has put out a notice board with the bittersweet message from the staff. The sign read: "Our last day of trading will be Saturday, 21st June, which is a very sad for myself, my wonderful volunteers and of course you, our customers. "In the meantime please continue to support the shop, the only charity shop in the village!" Beloved department store chain shutting more locations with clearance sales on now until final May 25 deadline Customers can also leave goodbye messages in the book at the store before it closes for good. It comes as another charity is set to close 77 branches this year with the majority already shut. Disability charity Scope, which has locations in England and Wales, revealed they have been struggling financially. The closures were first announced in January as part of a move that could see 1 38 of the brand's stores ceasing operation. Bosses explained the chain has experienced declining footfall and increasing costs, including higher rents as well as staff costs and energy bills. RETAIL PAIN IN 2025 The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April. A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024. Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
'Queen of Thrift' Bay Garnett once styled Kate Moss in a £1 top
Stylist Bay Garnett, whose mum hails from Tyrone, has spent over two decades proving that second-hand doesn't mean second best. From putting Kate Moss in a charity shop banana print top on the cover of Vogue, to influencing the rise of vintage as high fashion, Garnett has built a career on a following your fashion instincts and a deep belief in what she calls "thrifting karma." Having styled the likes of Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Chloë Sevigny in second-hand gems; Garnett recently hosted the Style to Sell Studio at Westfield Good Festival in London on May 17, advising shoppers on how best to make a sale from unwanted garments. So, she breaks down her top tips for buying and re-selling pre-loved clothes to get the best look, sustainably and affordably. 1. Remember: some pieces are priceless Garnett's most iconic find was just £1 and has ended up becoming a piece of fashion history. "I put Kate [Moss] in a banana print top that I really, really loved, that I got from Cancer Research," she says. "Phoebe Philo [then creative director of designer Chloé] called me and said, 'Can I borrow that top?' Then she used it on the Chloé runway, and it's gone on to be quite famous." Years later, Vogue interviewed her about the shoot – and the now iconic top. "The Chloé version is now a collector's item – [the likes of] Lily Allen collect them," says Garnett. "I've got the original upstairs still – I talk to it like it's my dog, 'you've done very well, haven't you'," she laughs. 2. "Go with a sense of purpose of what you're looking for" Garnett's cardinal rule for vintage treasure hunting is to have something in mind to give you guidance when shopping. "I do genuinely believe in thrifting karma," she says. "It's really important to go with a sense of direction, and when you have a sense of direction, you have a sense of purpose […] then I believe that you will find something that you love." She shares a story of when her daughter wanted a T-shirt from Urban Outfitters with the words 'San Diego' sprawled over the front. During a trip to New York, "I said, I'm going find you a T-shirt like that San Diego one," Garnett recalls telling her daughter. "So in my head, I was like, San Diego, San Diego T-shirt in a thrift store […] it kind of just appeared out of nowhere and I was like – that's insane." Whether you're seeking a Seventies jacket or a Zara skirt that's now out of stock, she insists: "You can't expect a charity shop to do all the work for you." 3. Check the labels, quality – and the men's rail When it comes to spotting true gems, Garnett is specific. "I personally look for a Seventies label. I look for faded denim that's proper vintage." Checking the labels of clothes to understand the garment's make-up and going in with a list of popular brands from certain decades will help you find good quality clothing that meet your requirements. "I also advise people to go to the men's rail, because you can find amazing men's shirts that can be a bit like The Row," she says. 4. How to resell: Photograph, measure and add a note Garnett doesn't just buy second-hand but sells it too, and has clear advice for making your pieces shine online. "The way that you photograph it is really important […] and what's really important, I think, is listing the measurements," she says. "I want to know if the shoulders are going to actually fit my shoulders." If you're a frequent seller – Garnett says to go the extra mile so you stick in the buyer's mind. She recalls receiving a note when she purchased a jacket from a seller in the US: "It said 'Dear Bay, I have travelled halfway around the world just to be with you.' "If you're a regular seller, I think adding a personal touch is a really nice way to do business." 5. Celebrities and second-hand: "They like it more" You may think celebrities needed persuading to wear charity shop pieces for photo shoots: "Actually, the opposite has happened," says Garnett. "Whenever I put vintage on a celebrity or a model, they go, 'I love this'." She recalls dressing Carey Mulligan in a Seventies puffy-shouldered shirt she'd plucked from her own wardrobe. "She was like, 'I love it,' and it was interesting to me, because she loved something […] that had been worn for years. "It just has a different energy." 6. The red flag when buying new While second-hand shopping is undeniably sustainable – it can get confusing when buying new. "As soon as a new brand says on their Instagram profile, 'sustainable', that immediately makes me [sceptical] – you can't just use that word," she says. Instead, she champions transparency and action over language. "Nothing's absolutely sustainable if it exists, if it's being produced." 'Greenwashing' is part of a wider issue when it comes to the environmental impact of fashion. Garnett believes real change must come from the top. "Things need to change in a really kind of radical way […] we need blanket legislation." 7. Second-hand style icons When it comes to wardrobes she'd love to raid, "The Italian film actress Anita Pallenberg or Chloë Sevigny," Garnett says, "I think they're two people with an absolutely original take on style, and I find their wardrobes very interesting and eclectic, but also probably singularly stylish. But if she could delve well into the style archives, "Marie Antoinette's would be a lot of fun!" Garnett's approach to fashion as a whole is refreshing in a world of micro-trends. "If I see something new that I really love – then I'll buy it," she admits, "but if I'm going to buy something new, I'm going to sling it on every day." Still, for Garnett – and for the rest of us slowly learning to treasure rather than consume – second-hand is more a lifestyle than just a shopping habit: "you have to have a sense of energy when you go thrifting to find something," she says, "and that's part of the fun."
Belfast Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Race For Life: Two NI friends in cancer remission reveal their ‘singing lifeline' during Belfast event
Dawn Mackey and Avril Campbell were invited stars at this year's event held at Stormont on Sunday. The event, which supports Cancer Research UK, includes 3k, 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy challenges for adults and children, raising millions for cancer research each year. The pair, both in remission from breast cancer, sounded the starter horn to send around 2,000 participants off on the 3k and 5k courses during the morning. More than £200,000 was raised by the event, helping scientists develop new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. After serving as official starters, Dawn and Avril joined the 50-strong Rock Choir from Lisburn, led by Clare Galway, outside Stormont buildings to motivate race participants along the route. The friends say being part of the choir has helped them cope with their cancer journey. Dawn (60) from Craigavon was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2024 after a routine screening, despite having no symptoms. A retired district nurse, she said the screening service saved her life. Dawn has since had surgery, five radiotherapy sessions, and started taking tamoxifen—a drug proven effective by Cancer Research UK-funded research. Discussing her journey to remission, Dawn explained she is on a mission to 'raise awareness about early detection and screening.' 'When I was diagnosed with cancer I went into 'nurse mode' at first and tried to protect my loved ones. I stayed positive on the outside, but inside I was frightened,' she said. 'Thank goodness for screening, as without it I'd never have detected there was anything wrong. I'm well now, so it's important to me to do everything I can to raise awareness about early detection and screening. Dawn added that the support around her, including using music as an outlet, helped her cope. 'I had an amazing consultant, oncologist, breast nurse and radiotherapy team. 'My family supported me every step of the way while the choir gave me empathy — and most importantly laughter. Singing with the choir helped bring the joyous part of me back, and screening helped save my life.' 'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life Belfast, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope' Music has also helped Avril, 56, from Banbridge, who will mark nine years since finishing breast cancer treatment this September. She underwent surgery, 16 chemotherapy sessions, 23 radiotherapy sessions, and later started tamoxifen medication. The mum of three said each member of the Rock Choir is inspirational and she is 'proud to be a part of' it, adding that it is 'one of the happiest one and a half hours of my week.' 'Our leader Clare is inspirational as are the choir members. I'm proud to be part of it.' The choir performed hits including Don't Stop Me Now by Queen and Super Trouper by Abba. Earlier in the day, International United Ms United Kingdom beauty queen Anouska Black of Craigavon sounded the start horn for the 10k participants. Anouska, 35, said: 'It was an honour to open this year's Race for Life Belfast and I've loved cheering everyone on. 'Both my grandfathers sadly passed away with cancer and I know it's a disease that touches so many families. Thankfully, there are many more effective treatments out there today, making it possible for people to get through cancer but that's been made possible thanks to the generosity of people raising funds for life-saving research. That's why I'm in awe of every single person who crossed the finish line.' Speaking after the event, Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokeswoman in Northern Ireland, commented: 'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life Belfast, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.' She added: 'Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime** but all of us can support the research that will beat it. 'We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years.'
CTV News
22-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Sault high school shatters donation goal
Northern Ontario Watch St. Mary's College in Sault Ste. Marie hosts its third Relay for Life and raises more than $73,000 for Cancer research.
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Big-hearted family use Bannockburn fundraiser to raise thousands for local cause
The charity night - which attracted an audience of 120 people - was designed to raise money for the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund, set up after the tragic death of a teenager from cancer. A big-hearted family have raised almost £6000 for a local charity set up in memory of a teenager who died of a rare form of cancer. Caitlin Adams says her family have been avid fundraisers for all of her life and she too, over the last four years, has planned multiple fundraising events. But thanks to a meeting with the family of Eilidh Brown, she was inspired to dedicate the latest effort to the charity set up in Eilidh's name. Caitlin and her family hosted a charity night at McQ's Bannockburn in aid of the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund, which was attended by more than 120 people and managed to raise an amazing £5,740 for the charity. 'My charity events first started off as bake sales for Cancer Research in 2022 and 2023, but last year I decided that I wanted to make it bigger and better and it was our first charity night in aid of CHAS. 'This year we chose the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund as we wanted to raise as much awareness as possible. 'I hadn't actually heard of the charity until I met Eilidh's mum and dad last year (Gordon Brown and Nicole Lahbib Brown) thanks to their nephew (Christopher Hendry) who is my partner. 'Once I heard about the amazing work that they do and had a very emotional visit to Eilidh's Home, I knew that I had to choose them.' Eilidh Brown was 14 when she collapsed on a school trip in February 2009. A scan showed that she had a tumour the size of a melon which was quickly removed along with her left ovary. Further tests showed that the tumour was malignant and that Eilidh also had a form of Turner's syndrome, a chromosomal disorder that occurs in one of 2000 girls and likely made her predisposed to germ cell cancer in her ovaries. Eilidh sadly lost her 14 month battle with cancer on March 25, 2010, just nine days short of her 16th birthday. The effects of the cancer had a devastating impact on Eilidh and her family. They agreed that whatever the outcome would be, they wanted to somehow help others and ensure that Eilidh's legacy would continue and so the EIlidh Brown Memorial Fund was created. Eilidh's Home was built in the summer of 2022 at Thornhill and welcomed their first family in October of that year. The house acts as a sanctuary for young people and their families who are currently facing, have faced or have sadly lost a child to cancer. 'From stories that all of her family have shared with me, Eilidh was extremely brave, always had a smile on her face and inspired everyone who she came into contact with,' said Caitlin. She added: 'She was an extraordinary, loving, faithful girl who always thought of everyone else before herself.' Caitlin's sister Megan Adams flew up from London for the weekend to ensure that she could support with her 'amazing singing' and also help their dad William Adams, who MC for the event and bingo caller for 'Billy's Boogie Bingo'. 'My mum Cheryl Adams and my partner Christopher helped me with all of the 'behind the scenes',' said Caitlin, 'ensuring that the night went as smoothly as possible. 'We are all ecstatic with the amount that we managed to raise for this amazing charity and will continue to support and raise as much awareness as we can. 'We had numerous games on the night, Irish Bingo, Heads or Tails and our take on Boogie Bingo. 'There was also an amazing raffle table that some local business donated to, such as: Stirling Distillery; Nooch Bar & Kitches; Mateos Cafe; Allure Make up by Tracey Hunter; and The Flower Girls - Grangeburn.'
