Sir Hugh Dundas Award

Sir Hugh Dundas was Macmillan’s chairman in the 1980s. A fighter pilot in the Second World War, he flew with Douglas Bader and was awarded the distinguished flying cross, among other prestigious honours. He died from cancer in 1995.

The Sir Hugh Dundas award is for volunteers who make an exceptional, highly innovative and outstanding contribution over a significant period of time that goes above and beyond the criteria for the other Macmillan volunteer awards.

Example of a successful nomination

Q: Please describe the volunteering activities that the nominee, or group, has been involved with.  Please indicate the length of time and level of commitment for each.

A: John’s dedication to fundraising for Macmillan began 20 years ago after losing his wife to cancer. He cycled from John O’Groats to Lands End, raising £3,450 for local breast cancer charities, and made the return ride two years later, doubling the previous amount raised.

Q: How has the nominee, or group, gone ‘above and beyond’ what we might hope for from any volunteer? We need to understand why they stand out from others involved in similar volunteering roles.

A: John organised his first cycling event for Macmillan in 1989. He enlisted a number of participants, raising £7,000 through sponsorship and another £7,000 in ‘matched giving’ from the bank where he works. Thanks to John’s hard work, the event has gone from strength to strength. It’s now in its 19th year and has made £500,000 in total. John dedicates hundreds of hours each year to the event, using much of his annual leave to do this. He’s one of Macmillan’s most dedicated supporters and is an inspiration to everyone who knows him. John is still only 42 and is focused on achieving an ultimate target of raising £2 million for Macmillan before he finally hangs up his cycling shorts.