Everyone needs help with cancer

Charities in volunteer drive after King & Kate diagnoses

- MIZY JUDAH CLIFTON

CANCER charities are hoping the increased interest sparked by the King and Princess of Wales's diagnoses will lead to a new generation of volunteers.

With this year's The Big Help Out weekend coming up in June, a new app launching today details thousands of opportunities to get involved.

Strictly Come Dancing professional and cancer survivor Amy Dowden, 33, is kicking off the app, hoping it will help recruit voluntary carers, counsellors, helpline operators and fundraisers.

In the wake of Covid lockdowns, there has been up to 20% fewer volunteers at cancer charities.

But Charles's revelation in February that he had a form of condition, and Kate's similar announcement in March, caused a spike of searches.

In the 24 hours following His Majesty's announcement, Cancer Research UK had a 33% increase in traffic to their information web pages.

And by the end of the weekend of Kate's announcement there were close to 100,000 visits to charity Macmillan's information and support pages.