Lerwick CLAN shop joins 30th anniversary celebrations

Cancer support charity CLAN has planned a series of events to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Chairman Robbie Duncan has been in Shetland this week, visiting CLAN’s Lerwick charity shop and drop-in centre, the most recently established outreach centre of the Aberdeen-based charity.

He paid tribute to the volunteers and supporters who have helped CLAN (Cancer Link Aberdeen and North) grow over three decades.

The charity was started by a group of “passionate” committee members determined to improve cancer support services across the region. It now has 300 volunteers, employs 39 full-time equivalent staff.

It has also expanded to create centres throughout Grampian and the Northern Isles.

Chief executive Debbie Thomson said: “The 30th anniversary is special in so many ways. It is an opportunity to reflect on the incredible achievements of the past three decades but also to look to the future and the exciting times ahead for CLAN.”

Plans to celebrate the major milestone throughout 2013, were unveiled today, with help from nine-year-old Beth Cooper, who won a competition to design a special logo to mark the charity’s 30th year.

A series of fundraising and awareness events is planned, including sporting dates, shows, concerts and other fundraisers, as well as the 30 Days for CLAN challenge in September, when participants will devote the month to fundraising for the charity.

Mrs Thomson said: “We have an incredibly loyal base of staff, volunteers and supporters who have worked tirelessly to ensure we live up to our promise ‘to comfort always’. Although CLAN has grown and expanded, retaining the family feel and warm environment is central to everything we do.”

She said the anniversary would be used “as a springboard to promote our services”.

“Raising awareness of CLAN is also hugely important as we plan for the future. It is fitting that young Beth has had a part to play in the celebrations by coming up with the fantastic logo as it demonstrates the way we reach out to all parts of the communities we serve. We have tremendous support from schools across the area, particularly in fundraising, and connecting with the next generation is vital.”