CancerPal founder picks up Entrepreneur for Good Award
The founder of CancerPal, Jo Riley, has won the Entrepreneur for Good Award for Wales at the
Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
CancerPal is an online platform supporting the family & friends of those going through cancer,
so that they, in turn, can provide the best possible support to their loved ones with the disease.
It’s a " one-stop shop" sharing information, advice and practical tips as well as selling hundreds
of products that have been recommended to help ease the symptoms and side effects of cancer
treatment – products such as headwear to cover hair loss, creams to soothe radiation burns and
sweets to help alleviate nausea.
Jo set up CancerPal to provide the help and support that she was so desperately looking for
when her Mum was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer and she explained that winning the
award means a lot to her: “I’m so proud to have won. It makes all the hard work and late, late
nights worthwhile and it’s really exciting that other people have recognised the value in what I’m
doing”.
Now in its eighth year, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in partnership with Starling Bank
celebrate the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs in the UK, rather than the
business’ balance sheet.
The Entrepreneur for Good Award is designed to celebrate businesses and founders whose
primary focus is having a positive impact on the world, creating social and environmental
change, rather than building wealth.
With Covid-19 restrictions preventing the regional finals taking place at a live event, Jo won the
award during a virtual award ceremony joined by finalists across every region.
In a video message to finalists, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Entrepreneurs [have shown they]
stay strong, even during a global pandemic. Coronavirus hasn’t stifled enterprise.
“Entrepreneurs are creating new businesses and adapting to the crisis, as seen in this year’s
entries. And that’s what we need to happen if we want our economy to bounce back. We need
all of you to keep inventing, keep taking risks, keep creating new businesses.
“It’s my job as Chancellor to celebrate, champion and support you.
“Congratulations to all the winners. Thank you to all of you for everything you’ve done.”
Francesca James, the founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said: “Jo has a wonderful
entrepreneurial story and I’m delighted for her to win this award. I’ll be keeping a very close eye
on what she does in the years to come and look forward to welcoming her to the community.”
Anne Boden, founder and CEO of Starling Bank, said: “We’re entrepreneurs and we have spirit.
We fight back and we’re very good at dealing with adversity. And Jo is an example to us all, of
entrepreneurs that are creative, innovative, and changing the world.
“I’m so excited that Starling, a business I founded in 2014 and now the Best British Bank, is
sponsoring such an important Awards. And as one entrepreneur to another, congratulations to
getting where you are this evening and best of luck for the future.”
The winners of each category will now go to the National Final of the Great British Entrepreneur
Awards, with a date to be announced due to restrictions on large events.
