Ripon volunteers raise £1000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research in memory of friend

Members of Yorkshire Cancer Research’s Ripon Volunteer Group have raised £1,250 in memory of friend and fellow volunteer, Jenny Moss.

The volunteers organised a sponsored walk around Fountains Abbey in Ripon. The walk was attended by 23 guests, who completed the ‘seven bridges valley walk’ before enjoying refreshments alongside Jenny’s friends and family.

Bridget Taylor-Connor, Chair of the volunteer group, said: “It was lovely to be able to organise the walk, alongside Jenny’s family, to fundraise in her memory. It was a celebration of Jenny’s life, and many stories and happy memories were shared over a cuppa and on the walk.”

Jenny volunteered for Yorkshire Cancer Research for 36 years, helping the charity fund world-leading research to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in the region.

Bridget continued: “Jenny first joined the group in 1987 and served as secretary for 27 years.

“She kept us focused, making sure we offered events across the board, from a masked ball and jazz picnics to a fashion shows and sponsored walks. She would spend hours organising events and looking for sponsorship, as well as promoting the charity’s work in cancer research and screening.”

Jenny began volunteering when her husband, Colin, passed away after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

At the same time, Jenny was diagnosed with breast cancer, and throughout her life she was successfully treated for breast cancer three times.

In 2021, Jenny helped launch Yorkshire Cancer Research’s Yorkshire Stars campaign, which invited people to dedicate a star in recognition of those affected by cancer. At the event, held at the charity’s Ripon shop, Jenny was keen to talk about why she had supported Yorkshire Cancer Research for more than three decades.

She said: “So many people have said to me ‘when will we cure cancer?’ but we’re finding cures all the time. People are receiving treatments today that they wouldn’t have had 30 years ago. It’s because of this that I want to continue supporting Yorkshire Cancer Research. I know that the charity is saving lives in our region today, and I want this to continue well into the future so many more people can be cured.”

With the help of Jenny, the Ripon Volunteer Group has raised more than £550,000 for world-leading cancer research since the group was first formed in 1975.

Bridget Taylor-Connor added: “Jenny was always willing to put herself forward and talk about her experience with cancer. I always felt that the Ripon Volunteer Group was Jenny’s group, and we’ll miss her guidance and smiling face.”