"Yorkshire Cancer Research supporters have helped save tonnes from landfill while raising vital funds for more cancer cures in Yorkshire" - Aimee's experience

Aimee McMillan, from Knaresborough, has loved shopping in charity shops with her mum and grandmother for as long as she can remember. Now, as Retail Recruitment Officer at Yorkshire Cancer Research, she has turned her favourite family pastime into her job, helping the charity raise vital income in its shops for life-saving cancer research in Yorkshire. 

Aimee’s passion for second-hand fashion bloomed when she moved to London in early 2021. After starting to volunteer at charity shops, she began sharing her colourful outfits and thrifted finds on Instagram.

Aimee said: “I wanted to show people all the great things you can get in a charity shop, no matter your size, style or age. Three years later, I’ve built a wonderful online community, met some of my closest friends and done some incredibly fun work with fashion brands.”

In 2023, Aimee decided to move back to her roots in Yorkshire. Her involvement with Yorkshire Cancer Research started when she was invited to the charity’s Christmas event at the Yorkshire Cancer Research centre at Hornbeam Park in Harrogate.  

A few months and many refreshes on the vacancies page later, Aimee spotted an opportunity – a Shop Manager position on the charity’s website. She happily accepted the role and spent the next five months managing the charity’s shop in Harrogate before overseeing all the charity’s shops in North and East Yorkshire.

Now, she is Retail Recruitment Officer at Yorkshire Cancer Research, where she is building a team to support the charity’s fast-growing retail network, bringing the charity’s mission to life on high streets across the region.

Yorkshire Cancer Research currently has 15 shops across Yorkshire, with plans to open three more in Autumn. The charity has ambitious plans to have a presence on every high street in the region. Thanks to the generosity of people across Yorkshire, every pound raised in Yorkshire Cancer Research shops helps fund life-saving cancer research and pioneering new services for people with cancer, so they can live longer, healthier, cancer-free lives.

Aimee said: "Working at Yorkshire Cancer Research combines my passion for sustainable fashion with a cause that is close to my heart. I, like many others, have lost family members to cancer – sadly both my grandad and uncle passed away from the disease. Both of my parents have also had cancer but fortunately, due to early detection, they are still here and healthy. Having also been previously worried about potential cancer symptoms myself, it is vital that the charity can continue to fund life-saving research which encourages people to attend screening and improves early diagnosis."

"I hope and believe my work at the charity can help other families in Yorkshire and the world to share more moments together.”

As well as raising vital income for cancer research, Yorkshire Cancer Research shops play an important role in promoting sustainable shopping.

Aimee said: “So far this year, more than 114,000 items of clothing have found new homes through Yorkshire Cancer Research shops. Imagine how much we have saved from landfill, and how much we have raised to help find cancer cures.” 

She continued: “It’s so important to consider the entire life cycle of a garment; how it is made, who it is impacting and how far it has travelled.  When it comes to fashion, upcycling your own clothes or wearing something pre-loved will always be the most sustainable choices you can make.”

To Aimee, sustainability is a value weaved into the fabric of her life, having played an important role in her wedding celebrations in May. This was partly thanks to the second-hand treasures she discovered in the Yorkshire Cancer Research shop in Harrogate.

“Both my wedding and engagement rings came from a Yorkshire Cancer Research shop, which is just one of the reasons the charity holds such a special place in my heart. The rings became the starting point for our ‘net-zero’ wedding, where we managed to offset all our carbon emissions with the help of a planner who specialised in sustainable weddings. We hired local vendors and suppliers to keep emissions low, my dad made our garden games, and we borrowed or repurposed as much as we could.” 

This Sustainable Fashion Week, Aimee encourages everyone to step into a Yorkshire Cancer Research shop and give thrifting a go. Her top tip is to visit as often as you can, since shop managers bring out new items every day.  

“Yorkshire Cancer Research shops are beginner-friendly in a sense that they’re always beautifully curated and coordinated by colour and size. The charity’s friendly and talented shop teams are happy to help, whether you need styling tips or are looking for something specific. For those who do not have a Yorkshire Cancer Research shop near them yet, people can also get thrifty online as the charity sells on eBay and its website as well.”