Warwick fundraiser Jeff is one in a million

But now the national spotlight is on the man who has played a huge part in raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for Cancer Research.

Jeff Reading is a member of the Leamington and Warwick branch of Cancer Research and was selected for the national Honorary Fellowship accolade at the annual Flame of Hope Awards this month for his outstanding contribution.

Mr Reading, from Warwick, has been a member of the group for over 27 years, and has been instrumental in raising over £1 million for Cancer Research UK. He also chaired the Relay For Life event for two years, raising a further £70,000.

He said: “The group in Leamington and Warwick have raised over £1m but it has been going for over 60 years, and I haven’t been involved for all that time!

“It’s a constant stream of fundraising events, from coffee mornings to things like a theatre night we have coming up at The Loft. We’ve got to keep thinking of new ideas and things to do.”

His interest in the charity began when his mother-in-law began fundraising for them and he hasn’t looked back since, and is now a public speaker for the group.

“I have enjoyed it all I get a lot of satisfaction from raising more funds and also raising awareness,” he explained.

“I had a brush with cancer myself in 2004 and my sister also got breast cancer and things like that keep your passion and interest very much alive.

“Cancer does affect so many people, and in that way it is a very easy charity to work for and people are very generous.

“It was a surprise to get the award, I don’t do it for the recognition but it is nice that somebody has recognised what I have done. I’m very proud and also a bit embarrassed and wasn’t sure I’d deserved it but people have assured me I do.”