Candlelighters is a Yorkshire based charity dedicated to helping support children with cancer or serious blood disorders, and their families, whilst at the same time promoting research into childhood cancer. Candlelighters was created and is run by parents and families of children treated at St James's University Hospital Specialist Unit.

Each year some 150 children and teenagers in Yorkshire are referred to the Specialist Unit at St. James’s in . The news that a child has cancer is devastating and distressing to the child and their family. From the time of diagnosis families have to readjust and learn to cope with a life of many uncertainties and disruptions.

This year my little niece, Isabelle, was diagnosed with a brain tumour. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy at ' St James's Hospital after recently undergoing surgery to remove the tumour.

 

After visiting Isabelle at the Children's Oncology Ward at St James's Hospital in , the work that The Candlelighters Trust do was immediately apparent, covering many aspects of the ward's day to day life that you would at first assume was paid for by the NHS. Unfortunately it isn't and it's hard to see what the ward would be like if charities like The Candlelighters didn't exist. The Candlighters employ the playroom/nursery staff and supply most of the toys, decorations, games and videos. They provide parents facilities such as a kitchen, respite room and beds. They also help to pay for training for nursing staff and they maintain laboratories on site, provisioning several Phd cancer research projects. I was astounded at this and can only believe even more in the amazing work these people do.

 

Please sponsor me for my race and hopefully I can add just a little bit to the many thousands that they need. Many many thanks.