Yorkshire’s children’s cancer charity Candlelighters celebrated 50 years of support for children with cancer at Diggerland, Castleford. Over 500 people attended including family members supported by Candlelighters over the years, Candlelighters volunteers, staff and NHS staff.
The day was an opportunity for fun, celebration, and reunions with old friends while providing a much-needed break for families affected by childhood cancer. Children and grown-ups enjoyed driving diggers, games, rides, and even driving a police car.
Candlelighters has supported Yorkshire children diagnosed with cancer and their families since 1976. Over the last 50 years, the charity has grown to provide a huge range of emotional, practical, and financial support for families, as well as investing millions in childhood cancer research. Their latest research project, the Candlelighters Supportive Care Research Centre, was opened in 2023 in York, looking at how to improve survival and reduce long and short-term side effects from cancer treatment for children.
Emily Wrag, CEO of Candlelighters, says, “For 50 years, Candlelighters has been dedicated to improving the lives of children with cancer and their families. Cancer has a devastating impact on the life of the child and their whole family. With the support of people and businesses across Yorkshire, we’ve been able to ensure that families have been supported with everything they need, from a listening ear from our dedicated team to financial grants, holidays and therapies.”
She adds, “One of our core values is fun. Cancer shouldn’t rob a young person of their childhood, so a big part of what we do is making sure children still get to laugh, smile and make happy memories. Diggerland was a perfect venue to hold our 50th birthday celebration. Children, young people and their families joined us for a day of pure fun, and we even got some sunshine! It was wonderful to catch up with the families we support, old and new, and see so many happy faces.”
The charity was flooded with thanks from families who attended, with many posting pictures of their day and praising the charity for its support. Two of the families that attended were Leo Bazzant’s and Freddie Isherwood’s.
Leo from Wakefield was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2023, aged just two. Now five, he attended the celebratory event with mum Rachel and dad Jonathan. The family enjoyed the rides, dodgems, and meeting the Candlelighters mascot, Champ the elephant. Rachel said, “We are so grateful and thankful to everyone at Candlelighters for the support they offered through our darkest times and the support they continue to offer. Our journey would have been so different if it weren’t for Candlelighters. They all work so hard to make sure children and families are supported.” She went on to say, “Thank you to everyone who donates and fundraises to keep this amazing charity going so they can continue to help children and families at their darkest times.”
Seven-year-old Freddie from Leeds also attended with his family: mum Becky, dad Jay, and little sister Emilia. Freddie was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2024 when he was five. Becky said, “We made lots of lovely memories at the Candlelighters family day. Seeing children well and happy away from the oncology unit just makes my heart burst. Thank you to Candlelighters for the opportunities to make memories. This is the reason we are so passionate about fundraising for this amazing charity!”
Emily Wragg spoke at the event, saying, “We are incredibly proud to have been supporting children, young people and their families through childhood cancer for 50 years, and we will continue to bring that fun and magic, as well as comfort and care for children and families for the next 50 years. Thank you so much to everyone who continues to support Candlelighters and our work. Whether you’ve donated, volunteered, partnered with us, taken on a challenge event, or anything in between, you’ve helped make a difference over the last 50 years.”
Learn more about what Candlelighters do, and how you can make a difference for children with cancer: https://www.candlelighters.org.uk/how-you-can-help/fundraise/
