Julia Bradbury sends message to UK as she begs Britons to do one thing
Mum-of-three Julia, 53, who was struck down with breast cancer knows just how much the love of friends and family and the kindness of strangers means when you are dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
Cancer survivor Julia Bradbury is begging Britain to answer a volunteering SOS and “give something back”.
The former Countryfile host turned healthy living and nature therapy guru was struck down with breast cancer and in 2021 had a single mastectomy to remove a 6cm tumour.
Now she is behind a drive to help UK charities helping those who are also faced with similar bombshell news.
Mum of three Julia, 53, said: "I know from my own experience just how much the love of friends and family and the kindness of strangers can mean when you are dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
"But in recent years cancer charities – like the rest of the voluntary sector – have seen fewer people coming through the door because volunteering is a habit which Covid broke in the most brutal way."
Cancer charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK, Breast Cancer Now and Young Lives Vs Cancer are recruiting a new generation of volunteers in the wake of King Charles and the Princess of Wales going public with their diagnoses.
They have joined the Big Help Out to boost volunteering across the UK and are hoping to recruit voluntary carers, counsellors, helpline operators, and fundraisers.
After sharing news of their diagnoses the royals sparked a huge surge of interest in cancer, with millions logging on to find out more about the disease, the impact it has on patients and loved ones and how they can get involved in the fightback.
The initiative comes at a crucial time for cancer charities with some facing a 20% fall in volunteers.
The royal backed Big Help Out weekend across the weekend of June 7-9 will see people able to sign up for volunteering opportunities across Britain - from cancer support to food banks, football coaches and community litter picking. Last year more than 7 million people took part but this year organisers hope to smash that figure.
Strictly Come Dancing professional and cancer survivor Amy Dowden said: “A year ago I was a fit and healthy 32-year-old and never thought I would get cancer at such a young age. Hearing about the recent cancer diagnoses of the King and the Princess of Wales reminds us the disease can strike any one of us, at any time.
“No one should face cancer alone. I know the kindness of friends, family and strangers can make all the difference when times are tough. I am forever grateful to the volunteers who have supported me on my cancer journey.
“Whether you’ve got an hour to give it a go, or you want to try a range of activities across the whole weekend, it might just be one of the most rewarding things you ever do.”
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “Volunteers are incredibly important to us and their impact is felt across every area of the charity. Without them, our work to beat cancer wouldn’t be possible.
“Recently we’ve seen heightened awareness of cancer, with the diagnoses of King Charles and Princess of Wales. By being open about their experiences, they have shone a light on the impact that cancer has on so many people in the UK and around the world.
“We’re making progress to beat the disease. In the last 50 years our work has helped double cancer survival in the UK. But we need people to continue to support us. So this summer, we’re delighted to be working with the Big Help Out to raise awareness of the importance of volunteering.”
The app, which includes volunteering opportunities from 35,000 organisations, allows anyone in the UK to get involved quickly and simply and can be downloaded by visiting www.thebighelpout.org.uk
