How school fundraising helps
Each year 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer. Thanks to brilliant support from schools, nurseries and colleges raising funds across the region, Candlelighters can be there to support these children and their families. We'd love you to join this incredible community and help make an even bigger difference.
There are so many benefits for you and your pupils when you fundraise for Candlelighters:
- Engaging pupils and promoting teamwork towards a common goal.
- Teaching compassion and empathy for others.
- Showing solidarity with pupils who have been affected by childhood cancer.
- Raising the profile of your school in your local community.
- An opportunity to have fun while doing something good.
Most importantly, your support helps to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer and their families.
Plan your own fundraising
Getting involved couldn't be easier. We have lots of ideas and guidance in our school fundraising pack. You can plan an activity or event that's unique to your school or simply something that suits your goals and resources. However you choose to get involved, you'll be helping provide vital support and fund life-changing research.
Here are a few fundraising ideas to get started:
- Non-uniform day
- Bake sale
- Fashion show
- Sports day
- Litter picking in the local community
Once you've decided an idea, plan when to do it, set up your fundraising page and spread the word! Don't forget to speak to local press to help get maximum coverage for your efforts.
Support children and families all year round by choosing us as your Charity of the Year. This is a fantastic option to maximise your school's fundraising and make an even greater impact. Take part in seasonal activities like Pink It Up in June, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September and at Easter and Christmas to really boost your total. You could set a target at the start of the year to work towards, to inspire and encourage everyone to get involved! If you choose to support in this way, make sure to let us know so we can support you.
Become a Team
If you'd like to fundraise on a regular basis, your school might consider forming a Candlelighters Team. Teams are groups of people that come together to fundraise for Candlelighters and can include family, friends, local communities and schools.
Horsforth School in Leeds formed a Team in 2023 after the huge success of their 'Challenge 30' initiative. Pupils and staff took on a series of challenges around the number 30, doing everything from reading for 30 minutes a day to 30-mile bike rides and everything in between! They raised an incredible £11,000 and decided to keep building on their success to support young people with cancer.
What your school could fund
Your school can directly impact the lives of children and their families.
£250
Could fund a sibling group to support young people whose brother or sister has been diagnosed with cancer
£450
Could fund six talking therapy sessions for a child with cancer or their sibling, providing vital mental health support
£600
Could fund a new patient grant to help parents pay for things like travel to the hospital
£1,000
Could fund a family holiday, allowing a family to make happy memories together
£2,000
Could fund a year's worth of activities to make time in hospital a little more enjoyable for children with cancer
Support from us
We'd love to support you on your fundraising journey and can provide tailored support to help make your efforts a success. We can help with fundraising ideas and guidance and give age-appropriate assemblies to explain what Candlelighters does and why it's important. Our mascot, Champ, has even been known to make appearances at schools to say hello!
If you’d like more information or support to fundraise for Candlelighters through your school, you can speak to our friendly fundraising team.
