The challenge sees teams of business volunteers take over the running of one of Cancer Focus NI’s charity shops for a day in May, following fundraising and stock collections in the run up to the day itself. The companies involved this year were Aflac, Direct Medics, Encirc, Frylite, Heron Bros, JAQ Group, Mount Charles Group, Re-Gen Waste, RPS, TP ICap, Utility Regulator and Version1.

Working as a team, but competing in a friendly way with each other, the teams raised funds to support Cancer Focus NI’s mission of supporting local people on their cancer journey as they work to reduce the risk, impact, and outcomes of all cancers. Heron Bros came out on top and won the Challenge, raising an outstanding £10,000 and increasing sales of 217% on the day.

Award categories included the following:

• Charity Shops’ Challenge Champions: Heron Bros
• Best Community Collaboration Award: Encirc
• Spotlight on Sustainability Award: Heron Bros
• Sustainable Style Award: Aflac
• Best Reel/TikTok Award: JAQ Group
• Best Shop Theme: Direct Medics
• Best Window Display Award: Mount Charles Group

Heron Bros celebrate being crowned Challenge Champions of Business in the Community’s 2026 Charity Shops’ Challenge – raising £10,000 for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.

Lauren Cunningham, Community Engagement Manager, Business in the Community, said: “We are delighted that our member companies have once again supported this fun and worthy initiative. This is the seventh year of our partnership with Cancer Focus NI to run this event, having built the challenge over the past 16 years.

“In addition to the monies raised, the Charity Shops’ Challenge also raises awareness of cancer and Cancer Focus NI’s mission of supporting people in Northern Ireland on their cancer journey. It also enables some of our key businesses to get right into the hearts of the community and allows employees to experience a different kind of working day as they get to know their colleagues as they work together for a great cause.”

Richard Spratt, Chief Executive, Cancer Focus NI, said: “Cancer Focus NI is so grateful to all the businesses that took part in the Charity Shops’ Challenge. As we recently opened the doors of our first Therapeutic Cancer Support Centre, this amazing total will help us to continue our mission to open further Centre’s throughout Northern Ireland. In partnership with Business in the Community, the Charity Shops’ Challenge raises funds, gives us new ideas to improve our retail business, supports team building in participating businesses and has a really positive environmental impact by reusing clothes and goods that might otherwise have gone to landfill.”

For more information on the Charity Shops’ Challenge, please email community@bitcni.org.uk