Kathy takes on her 3rd Marathon!

Why are you running for Candlelighters? I am running the marathon to raise money and awareness for Candlelighters an amazing charity who have made a difference to our life's over the last 18 months and will continue to do so. I am ashamed to say that before Binky (Grace), was diagnosed in April 2017 I had no idea Candlelighters existed, I had no idea of the work they do and how incredible they are and how important they are in the life's of oncology families. Have you done a marathon before? London will be my 3rd marathon, I have completed the Yorkshire Marathon twice. What are you most excited about? Are you nervous? I'm excited and nervous at the same time to be heading to London, excited to be part of such a prestigious event, but also nervous as its huge!! Biggest running achievement... The finish line!!!! What is your favourite post-run snack? Post run snack.. Does a pint of lager count? What fundraising plans do you have? When I started running in 2015 It was because I fancied doing the Great North Run... I was laughed at... I'm not a runner and the wrong side of 40!! Anyway that made me more determined and that year I completed my first GNR, then the Yorkshire Marathon the year after!! I've always raised money for my runs, for various charities, but now I run for charities that have helped us. What top tips do you have for anyone else who wants to take on a long distance run? Yes it's hard work running all those miles but it's nothing in comparison to what our children go through during their treatment. I have a choice to run or not, our children have no choice and that's what I think about when it gets tough and various body parts start hurting, our children. So to answer the question, if I can do it anyone can. Kathy    

Our stories

Yorkshire children’s cancer charity celebrates return of largest annual fundraiser, ‘Pink It Up week’
20-06-24Our stories • Posted by Becky Pearey
Yorkshire children’s cancer charity Candlelighters has celebrated the return of its largest annual fundraiser, ‘Pink It Up’ week.  Every year Candlelighters urges the community to get involved in pink-themed fundraising activities to support children and families affected by childhood cancer.  ‘Pink It Up’ is the charity’s flagship campaign. Since 2019 Candlelighters have encouraged people across Yorkshire to help them paint the county pink through various, pink-themed …
Candlelighters is one of the top three charities in the UK for Charity Governance Award!
28-05-24Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
Candlelighters has been shortlisted as one of the top three charities in the UK for the ‘People in Governance’ national award in the Charity Governance Awards! Annually, over 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer. When a child is diagnosed, lives are turned upside down instantly: not just for the child but the entire …
Candlelighters team proudly attend the Palace Garden Party
13-05-24Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
We are celebrating after two of our leaders attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace! Emily Wragg, our Chief Executive Officer, and Keith Hardcastle, our Chair of Trustees, were invited in recognition of our work, and they were amongst specially selected guests from across the UK.   Emily Wragg explains, “We were thrilled to have been …
Rohan Randhawa and Mathew Bower, recently appointed Candlelighters Trustees, give back to charity
23-04-24Our stories • Posted by Becky Pearey
As a children’s cancer charity, it is vital that the voices and experiences of patients help guide what we do. We were thrilled when two former patients, Rohan Randhawa and Mathew Bower, joined our Trustee Board last year. Rohan and Mathew provide incredibly valuable input to ensure children, young people, and families are at the …
Candlelighters accredited as 36th in Top 100 Great Places to Work in the UK!
18-03-24Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
Our team are celebrating after being accredited as one of the Top 100 Great Places to Work in the UK. We placed number 36! CEO of Candlelighters, Emily Wragg says, “This is a huge achievement for us and reflects the positive actions of each employee in creating a supportive working environment. Our donors, volunteers and families …
Company of the Month… Barratt Developments!
11-03-24Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
We are so pleased to announce that our latest Company of the Month is Barratt Developments! This month, we would like to thank the team at Barratt Developments Yorkshire West as they completed another fundraiser to take their fundraising to an incredible total of over £60,000 raised for Candlelighters! Last month, eight members of the …
Candlelighters CEO Emily Wragg shortlisted for Yorkshire Leadership Awards!
06-03-24Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
We are so proud to announce that our CEO, Emily Wragg, has been shortlisted for the Yorkshire Leadership Awards! Emily Wragg, CEO of Candlelighters, was shortlisted for the Public and Third Sector Leader at the Business Desk Yorkshire Leadership Awards! Emily has played a crucial role in Candlelighters’ expansion and success over the years. One …
International Childhood Cancer Day 2024
15-02-24Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
“My son’s cancer nurse also treated my sister, as a child.”  “My sister had leukaemia 19 years ago. Seeing the same nurse, when my son was diagnosed with cancer, brought all those memories flooding back.”  In 2005, when Georgia Lewis was eight years old, her sister Bethan, aged three, was diagnosed with leukaemia. After an …
Company of the Month… Platinum Asset Protection and Frontline Security!
02-02-24Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
We are so pleased to announce that our latest Companies of the Month are Platinum Asset Protection and Frontline Security! This month we would like to recognise the amazing supportive efforts made by Platinum Asset Protection and Frontline Security. We are amazed that the two companies have been supporting Candlelighters for over a decade! Frontline …
Company of the Month… Clarion!
21-12-23Our stories • Posted by Honey Best-Barton
We are so pleased to announce that our latest Company of the Month is Clarion! This month we would like to celebrate our new Company of the Month, Clarion, who have raised over £10,000 this year for Candlelighters! We are so pleased with their incredible fundraising efforts for this year. They’ve found creative ways of …

Your stories