Charity volunteer celebrates 25 years of outstanding service

A Derry charity volunteer is celebrating 25 years of outstanding service. 

Jim Kay has been working and fundraising for Cancer Research for a quarter of a century. 

Jim was recently awarded with a certificate from the charity for 25 years of outstanding service and in 2020 received an Honorary Fellowship award for his work. 

Originally from Killea, Jim found solace in the shop in Derry’s Ferryquay Street after losing his mother to cancer of the bile duct. 

After chatting with the manager Jim decided to do some volunteer work and he explained how that was 25 years ago and he never left.

In later years Jim’s wife Margaret sadly ended up passing away from the same kind of cancer as his mother. This was a tough time for him but he kept making a difference and putting smiles on people’s faces. 

Opening up about his experience of losing two special people in his life to cancer, Jim said: “My mother died a week before Princess Diana in 1997. She was a great woman, she used to sell pins of RAF wings. I guess you could say fundraising goes back. When I saw my wife Margaret experiencing the symptoms, I knew right away it was the same as my mother. 

“I knew in my own heart what was coming. During that time she had to go to the Royal for a month to try and get a stent put in past the tumor. It didn’t end up being successful. Instead of the poison going out the normal way it ended up attacking her brain. The last month of her life was horrendous to have to watch.”

Speaking about his fundraising over the years Jim said “I’ve always been involved in fundraising one way or another. I used to fundraise for the Hospice before I came to Cancer Research. Over the years I have done all kinds including River Cruises, Duck Derbies, organised skydives, bbq’s, pipe band concerts and dinner dances. There is a lot of work to organise the events but it is great.” 

Working the charity shop is like a “family” according to Jim. He always has fun with customers and staff alike. Jim loves his music and counts Dame Shirley Bassey as one of his favourites. 

“I’ll often put cd’s on in the shop and have fun waltzing around the shop with the customers. You get some characters coming in and out of the shop. We get a good laugh out of it. 

“There are times too when people will say ‘I was feeling down today but now I’m leaving with a smile, you cheered me up’ that's what it’s all about.” Jim said. 

Culminating all his years of fundraising Jim has helped to raise £190,000 for charity. 

Jim’s advice to anyone thinking about getting involved in charity work or fundraising is “Give it go and if it doesn’t work no harm done. Without a doubt, go for it. You will get a lot of enjoyment out of it.” 

After some thought of retirement the idea was soon put out of Jim’s head when manager Rae got word of it. 

“I said I’m thinking of finishing in the shop. They were all acting like there had been a death in the shop. They were all saying sure what you would do with yourself. I said I’ve plenty to do, I’ll find something. They weren’t having it. So I decided I’ll stay on for another while.” he laughed.

Rae Armstrong, manager of the Cancer Research shop on Derry’s Ferryquay Street spoke highly of Jim’s commitment to the charity of the years, saying: “Over 25 years Jim has been a great Ambassador for the charity.  He has received two awards from the charity for all his hard work. 

“He is great to have in the shop, he keeps the customers laughing, he brings in his music and keeps us going with that along with his jokes. He has done a great job at fundraising over the years. He is a real all rounder. 

“He has been brilliant and deserves all the recognition he gets.” 

To find out more about cancer research and the work they do visit cancerresearchuk.org