Sheffield mum-of-six thanked for vital volunteering contributions to life-saving cancer research
The mum-of-six has been helping out at Yorkshire Cancer Research in the shop at Crystal Peaks
Sheffield volunteer Becky Crookes has been publicly praised for her selfless and tireless work towards helping Yorkshire Cancer Research.
The mum-of-six has been helping out at the charity since it first opened a South Yorkshire shop in the Crystal Peaks area.
Becky explained that her motivation for joining was trying something different outside of the family home and her usual routine.
“Family is everything to me – my life revolves around them,” Becky said.
“However, we all need a break from the chaos of family life and volunteering at the Yorkshire Cancer Research shop gives me just that. It’s my time to be ‘me’ instead of mum.”
Since November 2025, Becky has developed lots of skills such as pricing products, creating eye-catching window displays and serving customers on the till. Her enthusiasm to help out has been fueled by the way cancer has impacted those around her, including both of her parents.
Her dad is currently receiving treatment for bladder cancer, and her mum sadly died from breast cancer in November 2022.
Becky said: “When my mum was rushed to hospital, we never could have thought it was cancer. She was diagnosed with cancer on the Monday and passed away on the Friday. It was incredibly traumatic for all of us.”
Becky, whose two grandmothers and uncle also had breast cancer, is interested to learn more about her family history of cancer and welcomes a new ground-breaking genetic screening trial, PROTECT-C, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research.
PROTECT-C will offer tests to thousands of people living in Yorkshire to see whether they have a genetic change that increases their risk of breast, ovary, bowel and womb cancer. The results could transform the way people, and their families, discover they are at a higher genetic risk, meaning they can take the steps to prevent or detect their cancer early.
Becky said: “Volunteering for a charity funding such ground-breaking work into genetic screening means so much.
“I would gladly sign up for an opportunity to take part in a trial like this because, if I was found to have a genetic change, I would want to have as many options as possible. It feels amazing to know our volunteering has helped contribute towards innovation like this happening here in our region. The more we help, the more research we can support and the more lives we can help save.”
Over the last year, Yorkshire Cancer Research volunteers such as Becky have generously contributed more than 42,000 hours of their time - helping to raise £2.4 million to fund new and better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in the process.
Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “Yorkshire Cancer Research could not fund ground-breaking new cancer cures for people in Yorkshire – and beyond – without the dedication of volunteers.
“Every hour generously given through volunteering helps the charity move one step closer towards its vision of a Yorkshire free from cancer.”
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