'Cancer charity shop became my lifeline', says volunteer who will turn 90 next month
ONE of these ladies will turn 90 next month but that won't stop her from manning a cancer charity shop.
Hazel Dane, of Cleethorpes, says age is just a number and as long as she feels healthy enough, she will continue to volunteer for the Cleethorpes Cancer Support Group.
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Going strong: Volunteers, Hazel Dane, left, and Sheila Goodwin, pictured in the Cleethorpes Cancer Support Group shop, in Seaview Street, Cleethorpes. Picture: Rick Byrne
The charity, which has bric-a-brac store in Seaview Street, raises funds to buy life-saving equipment for cancer patients at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital.
Hazel, who will celebrate her 90th birthday on February 12, has worked as a shop assistant for the group for the past 30 years.
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"I was a regular customer and one day I was asked if I would like to become a volunteer," she said.
"It sounded great as it was a way for me to get out the house but also doing something good in the community.
"However, when my husband died around 22 years ago, it became my lifeline and enabled me to carry on.
"Seeing customers three times a week helped me to socialise which in turn helped me to cope with my grief."
The support group's latest hospital donation included three observation monitors for the surgical day unit, worth £3,350.
Over the past three years, sales from the shop have helped raise more than £64,000 which has been put towards purchasing various devices for the hospital.
Sheila Goodwin, of North Thoresby, lost her dad to lung cancer and wanted to do something to help others.
The 73-year-old has been a volunteer for Cleethorpes Cancer Support Group for four years and credits the charity with opening her eyes to just how many lives are affected by the disease.
She said: "Everyone seems to have been touched by cancer in some way.
"Because of this, people are very supportive to our cause and whether they buy something from the shop or bring items to donate, it all helps."
The group is looking to raise £5,000 this year to fund treatment of cancer of the oesophagus.
Consultant general surgeon Michael Tilston, who operates on people with this cancer, said the money would be put towards buying the disposable equipment needed to treat patients using Halo, a form of cutting-edge radio frequency ablation treatment.
Sheila said: "We are always needing donations to the shop to help us continue our fund raising."
The Cleethorpes Cancer Support Group store is open Monday to Saturday, from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
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