Islington Charity Shop Put Under Spotlight as Cancer Concerns Rise
Growing concern around the rise of cancer among young adults shines a light on Cancer Research UK, a charity shop located on Islington’s Upper Street, and the role they take in the community and in cancer research.
Angelina Fitzgerald, the shop’s manager in training, said: “There’s a misconception that you don’t need to worry about cancer until your midlife; that’s not true. People need awareness, and that’s what we’re able to do for our community”.
Nick Mountain, shop manager, has observed that the customer age demographic has changed drastically over the past five years.
“We have much younger customers from social media growth”, he said. Recognising this shift has created an opportunity to reach younger shoppers and bring awareness of funding needs for research.
The Word Cancer Research Fund recently reported the surge in early-onset cancer; while investigation for answers is ongoing, factors for specific cancers vary. The World Health Organization reported increasing obesity rates, doubling among adults and quadrupling among adolescents since the 1990s, which has no confirmed correlation but is being studied.
The shop is based on “forward thinking and fundraising for prevention, not just treatment once cancer is found”, said Fitzgerald.
Clothing donations are important for business funding, Mountain said, stating: “It’s a very unique thing we have; someone could donate a jumper, and the profits turn directly to life-saving research”.
Mountain said that roughly 50 percent of this shop’s revenue goes into research itself, the remainder paying bills, staff salaries, and expensive rent.
Locals play a central role in the shop as regular volunteers. Mountain remarked, “They are the backbone of the charity; we couldn’t operate without them, and we always need more”.
Fitzgerald commented on how incredibly rewarding it is to both educate and fundraise. For customers, the shopping is “retail therapy for the good of the world”, she said.
Residents have the opportunity to donate, shop, and volunteer to support. Through this, action for answers can begin in this neighborhood charity shop.
Word count: 328
Contacts: Nick Mountain, Cancer Research UK, 07792 226 685
Publication: Islington Gazette