Candlelighters is one of several charities to have been gifted a donation from Joyce Mary Mountain’s estate, following her death in 2005. 

Joyce Mary Mountain ran the Bradford-based Victor Manufacturing Company – now one of the UK’s largest foodservice equipment manufacturers – which she co-founded with her husband. She continued to live in Bradford for the rest of her life.  

The welfare of Mrs Mountain’s employees at Victor Manufacturing was very important to her, and she wanted to ensure their jobs were protected following her death. With this is mind, she instructed that the shares in Victor Manufacturing should not be sold until at least 10 years after she passed away. Once this time period had passed, the shares were sold and, as per her wishes, her chosen charities were given donations from the proceeds – continuing Mrs Mountain’s remarkable legacy of kindness and generosity. 

We were gifted an incredible total of £900,000 from Joyce Mary Mountain’s estate.  

Tom Robertshaw, our Fundraising Manager, said: “The whole Candlelighters family is extremely grateful for the incredibly generous gift from the late Joyce Mary Mountain. This wonderful donation provided a huge boost to Candlelighters during challenging times following the pandemic. It has helped enable Candlelighters to expand and improve our services, ensuring we continue to meet the needs of the children and families we support. The impact of Mrs Mountain’s gift will leave a lasting legacy for children and families affected by childhood cancer long into the future.”  

Gifts in wills are a very special and profound part of our income. Legacy donations support our future and help ensure that future families facing childhood cancer across Yorkshire can receive all the practical, emotional and financial support they need.