The Sunshine Breast Cancer Support Group, for patients of Aintree University Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, was today presented with the King’s Award for Voluntary Services by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Merseyside, Mr Mark FW Blundell, at a ceremony in Liverpool.
The award is the equivalent of an MBE and the highest accolade awarded to volunteers for their contribution to society. The Group was notified of their award in November and after today’s formal presentation some members will attend the Royal Garden Party in May 2025.
The group is supported by the hospitals’ charity, University Hospitals of Liverpool Charity, and supports women who are going through breast cancer from diagnosis, before, during and after treatment.
Run by former head teacher Ann Coffey, herself a breast cancer survivor, the group has expanded over the last decade from a handful of women to over 500. Ann is supported by her core Planning Group and together they fundraise through various charity events throughout the year. Importantly, trained, volunteer therapists offer patients a range of complementary therapies including lymphoedema hand, arm, feet and leg massages, Reiki and reflexology.
Ann said: “It is an absolute honour to receive this award today on behalf of all the volunteers who give their time tirelessly and selflessly to support other women, often at the worst time of their lives.
“We could not do what we do without our amazing volunteers offering that wraparound care and support so vital to those undergoing or recovering from their cancer journeys. We are thrilled to have been recognised in His Majesty’s Voluntary Services Award and very much look forward to continuing to grow, develop and expand our offer to even more women.”
Almost all the volunteers are breast cancer survivors who want to give back after coming through their own journeys. More than anything, a good dose of emotional support is administered at The Retreat with much shared laughter and the occasional tears, but no-one cries alone in the Sunshine Group.