A SPECIALIST cancer centre is thanking a family from Plumley for their dedication and support over the past two years.

Plyn and Nigel Aston and their daughter Rebecca have been volunteering for The Christie as a way of thanking the doctors and nurses that helped Plyn, 67, beat cancer.  

Plyn, a retired post office clerk, was diagnosed with bowel cancer over 20 years ago and received care at the South Manchester centre.  

“I’ve since had the all clear and I’ll never forget the way our whole family was supported during that time,” she said.

“We’re incredibly lucky to have such a fantastic hospital so close by.”

Together with Nigel, 68, and Rebecca, 40, Plyn volunteers at each of the charity’s major sporting events, such as the Great Manchester Run and the Walk of Hope.  The three lend their time by cheering along participants at check points or providing cups of tea and coffee for supporters.

Plyn added: “I don’t think we’ve missed a single event over the past two years and we absolutely love it.  This is our way of giving something back for the superb treatment I received. 

“The atmosphere at the events is just electric and it’s amazing to be part of it.”

Volunteers like the Aston family will be given thanks by The Christie next week as the organisation marks the 30th anniversary of National Volunteers’ Week. 

Over 350 volunteers currently help at The Christie doing a range of jobs, including giving out library books on the wards, escorting patients and visitors to different departments and serving refreshments.

Interim Chief Executive at The Christie, Roger Spence, said: “National Volunteers’ Week is an opportunity for us to recognise the enormous contribution of our volunteers.  They continually go above and beyond, giving up their spare time to provide such an invaluable service and enhance the patients’ experience.

“We can’t thank each and every one of them enough.”