Candlelighters is calling on communities across Yorkshire to help raise vital funds and awareness this September as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Held every September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month brings together charities and organisations around the world to shine a spotlight on childhood cancer and the impact it has on children and their families. Candlelighters, which supports families affected by childhood cancer across Yorkshire, marks the month each year by raising awareness of the challenges families face, as well as highlighting the practical, emotional and financial support the charity provides.
More than 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer every year. A diagnosis can turn family life upside down in an instant, affecting not only the child receiving treatment but parents, siblings and loved ones too. The journey through treatment and recovery can be long and difficult, bringing emotional, physical and financial pressures for the whole family. Through its services and fundraising, Candlelighters aims to ensure families do not have to face those challenges alone.
This September, the charity is encouraging people across the region to show their support, help raise awareness and ‘Go Gold’ for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Candlelighters’ mission is to bring light and hope to every family affected by childhood cancer across Yorkshire. The charity provides emotional, practical and financial support to families throughout their cancer journey, while also investing in vital research aimed at improving treatment outcomes and the quality of life for children with cancer.
Established in 1976, Candlelighters is a Yorkshire-based charity founded by parents of children affected by cancer, former patients and the medical professionals who care for them. For nearly five decades, the charity has provided essential support and services to children with cancer and their families.
A childhood cancer diagnosis can turn family life upside down in an instant. Its impact reaches far beyond the child, affecting parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and the wider family. Priorities change overnight, everyday worries can suddenly feel insignificant, and a future once filled with hope can become uncertain and overwhelming.
Treatment and recovery can be a long and difficult journey, bringing physical, emotional and financial challenges for the whole family. Candlelighters was created to help families through those challenges, offering support at every stage of their cancer journey and helping ensure they do not have to face it alone.
Because Candlelighters was founded by parents of children affected by cancer, alongside the medical professionals who care for them, the charity has a deep understanding of the emotional upheaval a diagnosis can bring and recognises that every family’s needs are different. Support ranges from friendly staff and experienced counsellors to creating a welcoming ‘home away from home’ environment for families on the ward in Leeds. Candlelighters also funds vital research into new treatments and potential cures, helping to improve outcomes for children with cancer both now and in the future.
As part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2026, Candlelighters is inviting supporters to take on a special 150-mile challenge throughout September. The distance represents the more than 150 children diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire each year, with participants encouraged to complete one mile in recognition of every child and family affected.
Supporters can take on the challenge in whatever way suits them, whether by walking, running, cycling or swimming, and can complete the miles individually or as part of a team. By taking part, supporters will not only help raise vital funds for Candlelighters, but also help shine a light on childhood cancer and the families whose lives are changed by a diagnosis.
Your donations make a difference to children fighting cancer and their families across our region. Make a donation and help us to offer vital support www.candlelighters.org.uk/donate
For more information about Candlelighters please visit www.candlelighters.org.uk or follow us for the latest updates on Facebook at @CandlelightersTrust and on X @CandlelightersT email: info@candlelighters.org.uk or call 0113 887 8333.
Thank you for visiting our online shop where you can support us with a virtual gift, get your place at an event or purchase that essential piece of Candlelighters merchandise www.candlelighters.org.uk
Candlelighters is grateful to everyone who takes the time to get in touch and support its work, and the charity aims to respond to enquiries as soon as possible. Those wishing to make a donation by cheque can make it payable to Candlelighters and send it to 8 Woodhouse Square, Leeds, LS3 1AD.
Every contribution helps the charity continue providing vital support to children and families affected by childhood cancer across Yorkshire.
Thank You 💗🎗️
