Tanya and her family have been taking on an astounding range of challenges and events to raise funds for various charitable causes after their daughter, Emily, was diagnosed with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2018 aged just 9 months old. Since then, Emily has been undergoing treatment at the Leeds Children’s Hospital. It has been an extremely difficult time for them as a family, however thankfully, Emily has been responding very well to treatment and is making good progress.

Their fundraising journey started on the 24^th July 2019 with Dad Ian walking the Yorkshire Three Peaks, not only once but twice in one day! This massive challenge was to support both Candlelighters and CLIC Sargent! He completed his challenge in an amazing 14 hours 33 mins!

Since then, Tanya has also organised a fantastic bag pack on Yorkshire Day at Tesco Catterick Garrison which raised over £1000. Over the Bank Holiday Weekend, Tanya will also be holding a stall at the Wensleydale Agricultural Show where you’ll find her on the Saturday 24^th August 2019.

Not only is it Mum and Dad that are fundraising but Emily’s older brother Oliver too. Oliver has been fundraising  with his school who organised a non-uniform day raising £594. Oliver also asked for donations for his 6^th birthday instead of presents and managed to raise a spectacular amount of £320! All of the above proceedings were in support of Candlelighters and we cannot thank them enough for their incredible efforts and support.

It’s clear to see that the families fundraising efforts are hitting phenomenal highs! As they continue on, Tanya and her family have now decide to officially launch “Team Emily” which will be made up of themselves and various friends who simply wish to support Candlelighters!

Chloe, Community fundraiser from Candlelighters, said “Tanya and her family are truly amazing and it’s such a pleasure to work alongside such an inspiring family. Despite being faced with the toughest challenge a family could ever go through, Tanya, Ian, and Oliver with friends and family around them are going from strength to strength alongside Emily, which is just so incredible to see.  I can’t wait to continue to support you all with your fundraising journey as “Team Emily” and I’m beyond excited to see what the future holds!!”

Tanya said: “Candlelighters have been  invaluable to us as a family, not only do they support you on the ward but they help you on the whole journey. They also provide us with financial help when needed, respite breaks for the family, emotional support along with sibling support for our son Oliver. Without Candlelighters this journey would have been far more difficult and we just want to be able to give something back to them, they are your extended family and this counts for so much as you tend to be away from your own for months at a time!

Candlelighters you rock!”

Visit Team Emily’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Team-Emily-104228880942775/ which will allow you to stay up to date with their amazing challenges and events!