Yorkshire Cancer Research celebrates supporters brewing it for a cancer-free Yorkshire

Thanks to the dedication of supporters, Yorkshire Cancer Research has been funding research and saving lives since 1925. This Afternoon Tea Week (11-17th August), the charity is raising a cuppa to the incredible supporters across the region who have come together to brew it for life-saving cancer research.

For decades, tea parties and coffee mornings have helped bring groundbreaking scientific progress in cancer research to people in Yorkshire, and beyond. Here are just some of the people who have stirred up support for pioneering cancer research in Yorkshire.

In 2001, ladies from the Halifax local voluntary group took part in the charity’s ‘Yorkshire’s Biggest Tea break’ campaign. Supported by Taylors of Harrogate and local voluntary groups across the region, the event saw boxes of Yorkshire Tea sent out to organisations across the county, inviting over 2,000 employees to take a break and enjoy a brew in support of pioneering cancer research in Yorkshire.

Kathy Staff, star of the popular TV sitcom ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, teamed up with the Yorkshire Cancer Research local voluntary group in Huddersfield to help promote the campaign and spread the word.

The following year, Margaret Gatenby, Chair of the Wharfedale local voluntary group, packed a box of Yorkshire Cancer Research t-shirts and took the celebration of Yorkshire Day to the French Rivera, where she and her husband were spending their holiday. Not wanting to miss an opportunity to support the charity’s work, the pair hosted a coffee morning with cakes, a raffle and a tombola, raising £1,800 on the day.

Margaret had joined the Wharfedale local voluntary group in 1987 when her son Neil was diagnosed with a brain tumour. ‘He was only given six years to live,’ remembers Margaret, ‘but by some miracle he is still alive today, nearly 40 years later, and we are so thankful.’ 

Margaret remained on the local voluntary group until 2021 and received a long-service award from the charity in recognition of more than three decades of tireless fundraising.

In 2013, September saw the charity launch its ‘Yorkshire Tea Party’ campaign with ‘the maddest of all tea parties’ held at a Yorkshire landmark. Alice in Wonderland characters The Mad Hatter, The White Rabbit and the Queen of Hearts gathered on Almscliffe Crag near Harrogate to enjoy alfresco cakes and cuppas. Tea lovers across the county were encouraged to host their own parties with the help of a special tea party pack.   

This year – in the charity’s 100th year - Yorkshire Cancer Research is calling on tea-makers and bakers to host a Yorkshire Big Brew with friends, family and colleagues to help fund pioneering cancer research. The charity has teamed up with Great British Bake Off icons Rowan Claughton and Freya Cox, both from York, to encourage people to host a tea party using Rowan’s exclusive Yorkshire-inspired rhubarb doughnut cake.

Rowan added: “By taking part in this year’s ‘Yorkshire Big Brew’, you’ll be raising funds to help people in Yorkshire living with cancer.  I have experienced cancer within my own circle throughout my life, from losing my grandma when I was only a toddler to more recently having experienced the loss of a loved one. Just £20 raised at your own Afternoon Tea party could fund an hour of a researcher’s time. Every cuppa, every cake and every pound counts. Let’s save lives - one Big Brew at a time.”

Freya added: “Nothing brings me more joy than sharing a brew and a slab of cake, so a campaign that raises money for a brilliant cause by doing just that? It’s a yes from me.  

Yorkshire rhubarb is often overlooked and not celebrated enough, so we wanted to give it a chance to shine and show how well a seasonal ingredient can transform the flavour of a light and fluffy cake!”

Every 17 minutes, someone in Yorkshire is told they have cancer. Yorkshire Cancer Research funds vital cancer research and pioneers new services to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. Thanks to the commitment of supporters, the charity is bringing life-giving medical breakthroughs to the region, helping more people survive cancer - in Yorkshire, and beyond. 

Jackie Buxton from Huby hosted her first Yorkshire Big Brew last year to help fund pioneering cancer research after she was diagnosed and successfully treated for breast cancer. Following her experience with cancer, she has become an advocate for early diagnosis, encouraging people to do regular body checks and visit their GP with any health concerns. She also volunteered as a member of the charity’s Research Advisory Panel to help the charity decide which research projects to fund.  

In Hornsea, Mary Hall hosted a Yorkshire Big Brew last year to support a cause close to her heart. Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer over a decade ago and now hosts two coffee mornings each year to bring people together and raise money – so more people can receive the high-quality cancer treatment and care she did.

“I chose to support Yorkshire Cancer Research because I wanted to do it for people around me. I was treated at a Yorkshire hospital and their care was second to none. I had great conversations with other people going through something similar, who were also local to the area. Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer and it’s important we change this.

In Wakefield, Jean and her local ladies’ group will be hosting their second Yorkshire Big Brew to mark the charity’s 100th year. The group hosted a Big Brew last year, bringing the community together at their local church to raise over £700 for pioneering cancer research in Yorkshire. Jean began hosting coffee mornings with her local ladies’ group after she sadly lost her daughter to ovarian cancer eight years ago.

“My eldest daughter was just 54 when she passed away. My other daughter has also had cancer, though thankfully she’s doing much better now. I want to do what I can to raise funds so more technologies and cancer treatments can be discovered. Fundraising is vital for ensuring progress in cancer research is made.”

She continued “Last year’s Big Brew was a real success - full of delicious bakes, cups of tea and wonderful conversations. Almost everyone who came had lost a loved one to cancer, highlighting how important these events are in bringing people together in support and remembrance. We look forward to hosting another Big Brew later this year to mark the charity’s 100th anniversary and hopefully giving Rowan’s bake a go!”

People can organise a Big Brew by signing up on the charity’s website. Every participant will receive a free fundraising pack containing Yorkshire’s Big Brew materials such as posters and invites, as well as balloons, cake labels, and Rowan’s exclusive rhubarb doughnut cake recipe.