Stacy Procter lives in Leeds and, since 2017, has volunteered an incredible 135 hours of her time and raised over £22k for Candlelighters. In June 2023, she was shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year at the Yorkshire Choice Awards. Stacy tells us her story.

Stacy said, “I started volunteering for Candlelighters by helping at family events, including the siblings groups and the bereaved mums groups. I was so nervous at my first group, but, from the moment I walked through the door, everyone was so welcoming – I was part of the Candlelighters family.”

“I’d help prepare the room, make drinks, and ensure the families had everything they needed to feel welcome and comfortable. I remember at one of the groups, I played with a patient’s younger sibling so their mum could have a cup of tea and get her hair done. She was so grateful, but I thought it was a privilege to be able to help. When families say thank you to me, I just wish I could bottle up the feeling.”

“At a family picnic I helped at last summer, I met a little boy who was on treatment. He was in a wheelchair and couldn’t walk very far, but still had lots of fun. At a patients group a year later, I saw the same little boy. He was doing so much better, and it was lovely to see him again.”

“Since 2018, I’ve also volunteered as a marshal at local challenge events. I felt so inspired by the Candlelighters runners, I thought maybe I could give it a go, too. I’d never run before, but having gotten to know the Candlelighters families so well through volunteering, I felt so motivated to raise money for them. In my first year of running, I completed the Leeds 10k, Great North Run and the Yorkshire Marathon for Candlelighters.”

“I’ve raised money in other ways too. For example, for the past few years, I’ve held a Candlelighters fundraising event for my birthday at my local church, with afternoon tea, a tombola, and raffle, with some prizes donated by my local community.”

“Candlelighters makes me who I am, and I am truly blessed to be part of the amazing Candlelighters family. The little time I offer is never about me – it’s about an amazing charity that supports families and children affected by childhood cancer and I will always do all that I can to keep the candle burning.”

Stacy has been a wonderful member of the Candlelighters team and we are so grateful for the time and effort she has committed.

Corinne Dicker, our Volunteering Manager, said, “Stacy has all the qualities of a brilliant volunteer; she is reliable, committed, enthusiastic, empathetic, flexible, and fun! A lot of the support we provide for our families is only possible with the help of volunteers, so Stacy’s generosity with her free time has made a huge difference and I can’t thank her enough!”

Becki Marren, our Senior Regional Fundraiser, added, “We are so lucky to have support from Stacy, and her passion for Candlelighters is clear to see. Stacy is a shining star in the Candlelighters family.”