Cancer Research UK

The overview

Cancer Research UK is the biggest independently funded cancer research charity in the world. It has been at the forefront for developing new techniques for diagnosing and treating cancer for over one hundred years. Its headquarters are in London, and although it does employ people elsewhere, all the positions on the graduate scheme are based there. It currently employs over 3,500 people (not including volunteers) nationwide.

In 2010/11 it raised a total of £433 million (more than the income of many FTSE-350 businesses) from a variety of sources; this was spent in a number of different ways including research, publicity and lobbying, through which the charity deems it can save lives.

Fundraising campaigns

The charity has been involved with many different campaigns over the past few years. Perhaps the most famous campaign with which it has been involved has been ‘Race for Life’, which has raised awareness of breast cancer and mobilised women in an aim to raise money for prevention. The charity has also launched high-profile campaigns to fight other cancers, such as skin, bowel, and prostate cancer, among others.

70 per cent of money raised is spent on scientific research.

As well as money raised directly through events associated with these campaigns (eg sponsorships), the charity also raises money through a nationwide chain of shops and further funds are donated via legacies and direct giving, either through one-off payments, or regular monthly payments arranged from donors’ bank accounts.

It has also arranged partnerships with a number of companies as a means of raising funds, including household names such as:

• B&Q
• Deloitte
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Tesco

Distribution of funds

The majority of the money (approximately 70 per cent) raised by the charity is spent directly on scientific research. However, the charity recognises that research on possible drugs and treatments is not the only way of reducing deaths, and employs people in other areas accordingly:

Campaigns
It is currently campaigning to ensure that anyone who shows signs of cancer receives medical treatment as soon as possible as early diagnosis and treatment increases the chance of survival.

Preventions
It is involved in preventative work, such as launching publicity campaigns to make people aware of the dangers of over-exposure to UV light by the use of sunbeds and sunbathing.

Lobbying
It is involved in political lobbying as well – it is currently campaigning to get UK law changed to prohibit the display of cigarettes in retail premises to reduce the number of people who start and continue to smoke.

Salary and benefits

The charity doesn’t specify an exact figure, but starting salaries are reportedly in the region of £22,000–£24,000.

Other benefits include:

• 25 days’ annual leave.
• Pension scheme.
• Staff discounts on certain items