Karen Vincent became the new Chief Executive of Big C cancer charity in December last year. Ahead of the charity’s 45th anniversary celebrations, she shares her story
It would be fair to say that Big C is a cause close to Karen Vincent’s heart. The new Chief Executive of one of the largest cancer charities in East Anglia lost her cousin to cancer, when both were teenagers. Big C was co-founded 45 years ago this year, by David Moar MBE and Clive Bamford, who found themselves with cancer and having to travel to London and Cambridge for treatment, a journey that often seemed more gruelling than the treatment itself. They vowed to do something so local people would have access to the best treatment and support closer to where they live. The result was a local cancer charity which has gone on to raise more than £45 million.
Karen, who was born and raised in Norfolk, was 13 when she first came across Big C. “My Big C journey started in the 80s not long after it was founded. My dear cousin, who was about a year older than me, was diagnosed with cancer. We lost her when she was 15. I still have vivid memories of that time, and a vivid memory of us having a jumble sale to raise money for Big C – that stuck with me, alongside the more painful memories.”
Karen went on to have a career in financial management and business planning. “In a nutshell, I’ve worked for over 30 years in the public and private sector.” She has also supported the third sector as an elected local councillor, serving as Chair of Broadland District Council and more recently Chair of Norfolk County Council.
Karen would cross paths with the charity again, during her tenure as Chair at Broadland. “As part of that year I was to select a civic charity, and Big C was on my mind. My very first civic engagement in 2019 was the Volunteer Appreciation Day for Big C. I spent the day with the volunteers, and hearing their personal accounts and what they do for Big C blew me away.”
Watching a video of the Nearer to Home appeal for a new cancer support centre in Norwich, sealed the deal. “I decided after that day that Big C would be my civic charity and did a number of fundraising events – the last one I did was a Valentine’s Day Ball and six weeks later Covid hit.”
Because of the pandemic, Karen was asked to do two terms as Chair. “The next time I would meet David Moar was when my term ended in May 2021, and I was able to give them a cheque for the Dereham Road centre.”
Nowadays, Big C offers four support centres in all: at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn and Norwich City Centre. All provide friendly, specialist, practical and emotional support for those with a cancer diagnosis and their families in a non-clinical environment. Services include professional counselling, complementary therapies, group therapy, wellbeing programmes and welfare advice in partnership with Diss, Thetford and District branch of Citizens Advice. In 2024, that particular partnership helped 946 service users with 2,550 issues which gained an income of £3.2m on their behalf.
Support is also available via the Big C virtual centre, offering video 1:1 support, virtual support groups and over the telephone too, for those who can’t travel to Big C’s centres, or who prefer support from the comfort of their own home. Last year, support teams across all centres and hubs interacted with an average of 732 people affected by cancer each month.
The previous Chief Executive, Dr Christopher Bushby stepped down in September, due to health reasons. Karen took up the role in December, armed with a wealth of knowledge and experience from working in strategic roles, although she admits: “They were big shoes to step into. Chris had been doing the role for nine years and so there was an element of trepidation.”
But she adds: “It’s a charity that I’m passionate about. Both of my parents had cancer, as well as other family members and friends – it affects everyone in some shape or form. And Big C has a real purpose – that’s what appeals to me. Big C’s beating heart is in Norfolk and the support they’ve given my family really resonates with me, so for me it’s the perfect role.”
Karen has been Chief Executive for nearly five months. “It has been going really well and has been really busy. We had a wonderful event in January at the Castle, a month or so into my role, to celebrate what Big C has done so far over the last 45 years and our ambitions.”
Since she started, an Art & Craft Mardle Support Group has begun in the Norwich support centre, which takes place on the last Tuesday of the month, from 10am to 12 noon; and a British Sign Language support group, a partnership between Big C and Deaf Connexions, is being offered in Norwich.
With the 45th anniversary ball to look forward to this October, Karen acknowledges: “It is a big year, and it is a privilege to be part of it.” In the run-up to the anniversary, Big C plans to raise even more awareness about the fact it is very much a local charity. “We’re so often confused with the national charities like Macmillan or Cancer Research UK and that’s a huge credit to us, but we don’t get proper government funding so all the funding we need to deliver those services we need to raise ourselves.”
Big C is based in the heart of the Norwich Research Park, where the charity has helped to fund internationally significant research projects greatly benefiting local people and having a global impact on our understanding of preventing and treating cancer. Since 1980, Big C has funded more than £12.5 million in research and equipment grants. Karen adds: “We are currently supporting six PhD students.
“On average we need to raise about £3m a year and that’s only possible with the support of some amazing fundraisers, local business community, corporate partners and a whole host of people. And we have 11 shops across Norfolk and North Suffolk – that’s integral to our fundraising.”
Also integral to fundraising are the various Big C fundraising events throughout the year. “For the last two years we’ve had Strictly Big C which has been a huge success. I took part in the first year when I was a Trustee – that was quite nerve-wracking actually! Karen performed the Cha-Cha with her dance partner in front of 100 people. She didn’t win but recalls: “It was all about raising money and taking part. This year we did a group dance which was a lot of fun.”
Earlier this month, a team of walkers – including Canaries legend Grant Holt – embarked on a 150-mile walk across Norfolk to raise funds for Big C and the Community Sports Foundation. Karen, who joined the team for part of the walk, says: “I am in awe of the strength, dedication and heart of our amazing group of walkers and the incredible resilience they have shown in completing this epic challenge. I would personally like to thank each and every one of them, and heartfelt thanks also go to the generous sponsors, donors and supporters who helped in so many ways along the route.
“Every donation given and every step taken has made a real difference, helping raise vital funds for two important local charities, and we are truly grateful.”
There are several Big C events still to come: “We have various running and cycling events: we’ve got the Sandringham 10K, the Norwich 100/60/30, the Norwich half-marathon and we’ve very excited to have some places in the London Marathon next year.
“Alongside those events we have local people who are doing their own fundraising events – a whole host of things. Anyone can support us in any way they see fit really – the possibilities are endless.”
Five months into her new role, Karen says: “It feels like I’ve gone full circle, to come back and now be working in this role and leading a charity I absolutely adore.”
What would her cousin have thought of Karen going on to become Chief Executive? “She would have been surprised, and so would my parents… I think they’d be proud and really pleased. It’s a complete honour to be able to do this – something so close to my heart.”
Big C’s Charity Football Match is set to take place on May 18, at Fakenham Town Football Club; the Norwich 100/60/30 takes place on June 1; the Sandringham 10k takes place on June 15; and Classic Ibiza is to raise funds for Big C at Blickling Estate on August 2. Keep an eye on the website to find out more about the 45th Anniversary Ball on October 10, 2025. And if you are interested in joining the 370-strong army of Big C volunteers, visit Big C Cancer Charity.
Featured image of Karen Vincent supplied by Big C
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