In June we were thrilled celebrate 50 years of supporting children with cancer and their families at Diggerland, Castleford. Over 500 people joined us, including families supported by Candlelighters over the years, Candlelighters volunteers, staff and NHS staff for the special celebration.
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. Both children and grown-ups enjoyed driving diggers, games, rides and even driving a police car!
Over the last 50 years Candlelighters has grown to provide a huge range of emotional, practical and financial support for families, as well as investing millions in childhood cancer research.
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 Family Support Team to financial grants, holidays and therapies.
One of our core values at Candlelighters 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. So, 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.
Five-year-old Leo was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2023, at just two. He joined us for the celebrations at Diggerland with his mum Rachel and dad Jonathan, where they all enjoyed the rides, dodgems and meeting our famous mascot, Champ. 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.”
Another family that joined us for the fun was seven-year-old Freddie with his mum Becky, dad Jay and little sister Emilia. Freddie was just five when he was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2024. 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!”
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.
