Young Cancer Champion Award

This award is for volunteers aged 25 years and under, who do one or more of the following:

• Increase the profile of Macmillan.
• Raise large amounts of money or use entrepreneurial initiatives.
• Care for others.
• Are living with cancer themselves, and inspire others.

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: Sally and Lucy are 16-year-old twins who decided to support Macmillan after their mum was diagnosed with cancer in 2005. They’ve worked tirelessly over the past two years to increase Macmillan’s profile in their community, securing extensive media coverage in the local newspaper and undertaking numerous entrepreneurial fundraising initiatives.

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: Sally and Lucy have raised over £450 by designing homemade Christmas cards. Following the success of the cards, the twins decided to diversify their product range and make their own calendars. They took their own photographs and secured sponsorship from a local printing firm. They also developed and made a range of key rings. Thanks to sales of the Christmas cards, key rings and calendars, the girls raised a further £1,150. They also persuaded their school to take part in the Big Sports Day, raising £3500. Additionally, Sally and Lucy put on a fundraising ‘silent disco’ at their sixth form school, raising another £2,000. They really are incredible examples of young volunteers.