A THAXTED fundraiser and volunteer has received a national award from Cancer Research UK in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the charity’s work.

The charity’s annual Flame of Hope Awards acknowledge remarkable efforts in fundraising and volunteering made by people from all walks of life.

Ian Barnard was named a Cancer Research UK Honorary Fellow in celebration of unflinching loyalty and dedication shown to the cause over many years.

He picked up the accolade last week (Friday June 10) at a special ceremony in London hosted by Cancer Research UK’s Chairman, Michael Pragnell.

An audience at the Hotel Russell in Russell Square heard how Ian has been fundraising and volunteering for the charity for the last 50 years. He is chairman of the local fundraising group and his exceptional dedication to the charity has resulted in them raising over �113,000. He has also spread enormous awareness of the charity and is known as the face of Cancer Research UK in and around the area.

Cancer Research UK Chief Executive Harpal Kumar said: “We have made enormous progress in the fight against cancer. However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and supporters without whom we would not be able to fund outstanding scientists, doctors and nurses.

“Our Flame of Hope Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate and say thank you to these enormously generous volunteers and supporters for the fantastic work they do.”

Darren Couchman, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Essex added: “These awards are our way of saying thanks to the people who are the lifeblood of our organisation – people who give their time freely to raise money for research and promote greater awareness of the disease, and yet ask for nothing in return. We salute our supporters everywhere because together we will beat cancer.”

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