Anti-Racism Statement

Our vision is to bring light and hope to every family affected by childhood cancer across Yorkshire. In the five decades since Candlelighters was formed, we have grown and adapted in so many ways to help us achieve this vision. 

One of our core values is to care for patients, families, supporters, staff, and the wider community we operate in. We know that many of the people we serve face challenges which may be exacerbated by race and that we have a duty as an organisation to mitigate these challenges where we have the power to do so.

We want to create a culture where everyone we work with is heard, valued, and cared for.

Candlelighters are committed to growing and adapting to make this happen and have begun taking action to achieve this.

Some of the actions we’re taking:

  • An external review with a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion professional to review and help address where we can improve our processes and operations to remove barriers and ensure fair treatment for all.
  • Starting dialogue with and listening to people from ethnic minority backgrounds on issues they face and how we can alleviate them.
  • Delivering anti-racism training to all members of staff and reinforcing a culture of safety for staff to talk about race.

This is only the start of an ongoing pledge to become an anti-racist organisation. We will continue to develop and grow, striving to improve our knowledge and use our influence to contribute a more inclusive society.

If you’d like to speak to someone about this statement, you can contact us at [email protected].

Our stories

Company of the Month … D&D London!!
16-09-22Our stories • Posted by Niamh Sedgwick
We are delighted to announce that our latest company of the month is D&D London! D&D London first began supporting Candlelighters in July by asking customers to add a £1 donation to their bill, across their four Leeds restaurants, Crafthouse, Angelica, Issho and East 59th. Across the four restaurants in July, they raised £1,185. As …
Candlelighters’ Annual General Meeting (AGM)
13-09-22Our stories • Posted by Niamh Sedgwick
Candlelighters’ Annual General Meeting (AGM) 28/09/22 – 28/09/22 About this Event You’re invited to our Annual General Meeting When: Wednesday 28th September 2022. Where: We are hoping that this will be held in person at The Square. This will be confirmed around a week before the event. Time: 6:00-6:30 (Can meet from 5:30 for refreshments) …
Harrogate Candlelighters announce their annual main event!
19-08-22Our stories • Posted by Becky Pearey
The wait is now over….on behalf of Harrogate Candlelighters we would like to invite you to our annual main event, the first in 4 years! Saturday 26th November 2022 ‘NARNIA’ at the Pavilions of Harrogate The Pavilions of Harrogate are being transformed into a fabulously magical winter Narnia scene. There’s an exquisite menu of contemporary cuisine, together …
Company of the Month… Optm!
29-07-22Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We are delighted to announce that our latest Company of the Month is the fantastic Optm! They have recently hit the incredible milestone of £150,000 raised since they became part of the Candlelighters family eight years ago. The amazing people at Optm have taken on some fabulous challenges and events to raise funds, from walking …
Participants needed for rhabdomyosarcoma research
10-06-22Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
Our friends at Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) are funding a study to help understand decision-making for relapsed and refractory rhabdomyosarcoma. Researchers including Dr Bob Phillips and Dr Jess Morgan are looking for parents or carers of children and young people with relapsed or refractory rhabdomyosarcoma, or young people themselves, to have one telephone …
Company of the Month… Oakwood Garden Rooms!
26-05-22Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We’re absolutely thrilled to announce our Company of the Month for April 2022 is Oakwood Garden Rooms! Leeds-based Oakwood Garden Rooms have been supporting Candlelighters as their charity of choice since December 2020. In this time, they have raised an absolutely incredible amount for Candlelighters through some fantastic online raffles. Owner Liam Griffin and the …
Childhood Cancer Outcomes Westminster Debate – April 2022
06-05-22Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We are so pleased that on Tuesday 26th April, the first-ever Westminster debate on Childhood Cancer Outcomes was held. It was led by MP Caroline Dineage whose constituent Sophie Fairall died last September at the age of ten following a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. Caroline said, “Childhood cancer is often referred to as rare, but it is the …
Company of the Month… Mowgli!
28-04-22Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We’re super excited to announce our Company of the Month for March 2022 is Mowgli Street Food! Mowgli started supporting Candlelighters in early 2020 after the opening of their Leeds restaurant. They put in place a cause-related marketing agreement, encouraging customers to add a £1 donation to their bill in support of Candlelighters. This simple …
Company of the Month… Katchr!
24-03-22Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We’re so pleased to announce that our Company of the Month for February 2022 is Law Firm Business Intelligence Software company, Katchr! Katchr have supported Candlelighters since 2020 and have got involved with a wide range of fundraising activities to help our children and families. Katchr said, ‘Our involvement with Candlelighters started two years ago …
Candlelighters to invest £1m in supportive care research
17-03-22Our stories • Posted by Gaby Stead
We are thrilled to announce that we’re planning to invest up to £1m to further supportive care research for children and young people with cancer. At Candlelighters, we have been investing in childhood cancer research for over 40 years. When Candlelighters was formed in the 1970s, sadly very few children survived. Now, thanks to scientific …

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