Cancer survivor Helen's joy as she launches Parkgate Cancer Research UK superstore

A CANCER survivor who became an internet singing sensation helped to launch South Yorkshire’s first charity superstore.
Helen Beck and Steve Parker-Wilson (centre) launch the shop with Cancer Research UK volunteers.Helen Beck and Steve Parker-Wilson (centre) launch the shop with Cancer Research UK volunteers.
Helen Beck and Steve Parker-Wilson (centre) launch the shop with Cancer Research UK volunteers.

Helen Beck (53), of Brampton Bierlow, cut the ribbon at the new Cancer Research UK outlet at Parkgate Shopping last Thursday.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 after a routine mammogram, defiant Helen shaved her head before starting chemotherapy.

The keen songstress, a member of award-winning choir Rainbow Connection Singers, was filmed singing I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables while her hair was shorn off.

The emotional video was posted on Cancer Research’s Facebook page, where it clocked up over 270,000 views, 7,700 likes and 1,700 shares.

Helen is originally from Cardiff but moved to Rotherham after marrying husband Paul and has two children, three step-children and two grandchildren.

She watched her mum battle breast cancer for 20 years, before dying in 2015, aged 80.

Helen is now clear of cancer and has returned to work as a medical rep — as well as getting back to choir practice.

She said: “Singing means so much to me and is something I have always done.

“But after I started chemo, I couldn’t go to choir rehearsals for fear of picking up infections and it was something I really missed.

“I was limited to going into the conservatory when everyone was out to belt out a few numbers.

“Cancer made me feel like I’d lost a lot of control — I was losing my singing and now I was going to lose my hair.”

She added: “I needed to take back control of something, so I decided to shave it all off before it fell out.

“Then my stepson Sean, who works in video production, came up with the of idea of filming it while I sang.

“The online response to my video has been amazing and the comments really helped me get though my treatment.

“It really did help me get back control, with an added big boost of confidence.”

Around 1,500 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in Rotherham alone.

The new superstore has a private room where customers can pick up information or use the freephone to call specialist nurses who can answer questions on any cancer topic. 

Cancer Research UK has 592 shops around the UK — but Parkgate’s branch is five times the size of most.

The shop sells high-quality, new and pre-loved clothing, homeware, books and toys — mostly priced at £5 or less.

It is part of the charity’s plan to meet demand for easy access and plenty of parking, complementing its town centre shop on Effingham Street.

The superstore will also be used as a donation and processing hub to support Cancer Research shops around the region.

Shop manager Steve Parker-Wilson said Helen’s video was “such an inspiration to everyone who has been touched by cancer”.

Steve, who joined Cancer Research UK eight years ago, has moved from the town centre shop to helm the new superstore.

“There are lots of ways that Rotherham people can get involved and help us, from visiting as customers or offering to donate their time,” he said.

“We also need ongoing supplies of donated stock, so we’d ask people to clear out their wardrobes and cupboards and bring us their quality clothes, shoes, bags, household items, books and CDs and DVDs.”

Head to the Cancer Research UK website to watch Helen’s viral music video or watch a short film about the grand opening.

Related topics: