A SOUTHPORT volunteer has received a special commendation from Cancer Research UK in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the cause.

Keith Hubbard, a well-known local musician, was shortlisted in the charity’s annual Flame of Hope Awards which acknowledge remarkable efforts in fundraising and volunteering made by people from all walks of life.

He won a special commendation in the “Uniting Communities” award category for his tireless fundraising work.

Keith, who is married to Angela, has fundraised for the charity for the past 16 years. and in 2018 organised a fundraising committee “Gig 4 Life” with his wife, sister and like-minded local musicians. They have regularly played gigs to raise money for Cancer Research UK and awareness of the charity’s work. Keith has helped to raise a staggering £25,000.

The 73-year-old father-of-two, who has two grand-daughters, was among a total of 181 individuals and groups from all across the UK recognised by the Flame of Hope awards. The awards ceremony in London, hosted by Cancer Research UK’s chairman, Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, had to be cancelled this year to protect the country’s health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The pandemic has caused a devastating loss of funding for cancer research. Following the cancellation of fundraising events like Race for Life, Cancer Research UK is expecting a staggering £160 million drop in income in the year ahead. As a result, the charity has made the difficult decision to cut £44 million in research funding.

Keith was inspired to fundraise for the charity after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004. He had six weeks of radiotherapy and hormone injections. The cancer returned aggressively in 2009 and Keith signed up for a clinical trial of cryosurgery which involves using the extreme cold to destroy cancer cells. He was left unable to work for some time. But credits his recovery thanks to the strides made in research.

He was declared cancer free last year, saying: “When I was re-diagnosed in 2009, I was told the cancer could only ever be slowed down and not cured. So, to be declared cancer free last year was brilliant news.

“I’m certain my treatment wouldn’t have been possible without Cancer Research UK and the research they fund.

“This year has been absolutely devastating for all musicians. All of our gigs from March onwards had to be cancelled and we think we would have raised £10,000.

“It’s a great honour to receive a Flame of Hope award. It’s for the whole team behind Gig 4 Life.”

Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “The Flame of Hope awards give us the opportunity to celebrate and say thank you to our enormously generous volunteers and supporters for their fantastic work.

“Covid-19 has slowed us down but we will never stop. We are determined to continue our research to create better treatments for tomorrow. Cancer Research UK has continued to work through world wars, recession and other periods of major disruption. We remain as focussed as ever on beating cancer and I want to thank everyone who has supported us through this time.

“Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work in to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives but that’s only possible thanks to the commitment of our supporters and volunteers, without whom it would not be possible to fund outstanding scientists, doctors and nurses.”

Over the last 40 years, survival has doubled in the UK - today half of people with cancer will survive their disease for at least 10 years.

Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to ensure that by 2034, three quarters of people survive for 10 years or more after a diagnosis.

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, said: “Every step we make towards beating cancer relies on every pound, every hour and every person.

“These awards are our way of honouring incredible people like Keith who give their time freely to raise money for research and promote greater awareness of the disease, and yet ask for nothing in return.

“It’s thanks to the support of the fundraising public and our amazing army of volunteers that we can continue to make a real difference and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”