Meet the Candlelighters family
© Karen Turner Photography, header photo
‘Supporting families through their child’s treatment is one of the key aims of Candlelighters and as a former parent of a child with cancer myself, I remember how the charity was there for us when we needed it most’.
In 1998, Stephen's four-year-old son Rocky was found to have a tumour and received treatment at St James's. Rocky survived for almost three years, leaving the family with wonderful memories, great hope and undented faith. Stephen has continued his involvement with Candlelighters, joining the Board in 2007 and took over as chair in January 2014.
Keith’s son Harry was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of three in 2006. Whilst Harry continues with long term follow-up appointments after undergoing treatment at St. James’s Hospital we are glad to have Keith on our board.
Roger’s son George was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2007. George continues to have appointments but is happy to be back playing the sports he loves. Roger is now chair of the Family Support Committee who report into the board to ensure our plans always focus on family support.
Gary’s daughter, Tess, was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was two. Despite the tumour recurring, she has made a good recovery both times, thanks to great care from various Yorkshire based hospitals. Gary’s job as a chartered accountant means we can definitely trust him with our money!
The care and attention given to Yorke at St James's after he was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma at the age of 13 enabled him to make a good recovery, leading to the successful and fulfilling life he lives now. Yorke is delighted to be able to offer a 'patient's perspective' to Candlelighters, having been a Trustee since 2007.
Martin was appointed as a consultant in Paediatric Oncology and simultaneously as a Candlelighter's Trustee in 2005. He loves being involved in decisions regarding which projects are funded, making sure that fundraisers' hard efforts always benefit patients and families as much as possible.
Dr Sue Picton is a Paediatric Oncology Consultant and treats children with many types of tumours, but has a particular interest in brain tumours. She believes that Candlelighters' role in supporting children and their families is just as important as its role in promoting research into children's cancer.
Professor Kinsey is currently a Professor of Paediatric Haematology at Leeds University and has been a Consultant Paediatric Haematologist and proud Candlelighters Trustee since 1992. Since joining our board she has also been appointed as Chairman of the Bone Marrow Central Review Panel for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) trial entries, and has been a member of the Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry Advisory Board, and the UK Children's Cancer Study Oversight Committee.
Mike Richards was appointed to his current post of Consultant Paediatric Haematologist at St James's' Hospital in 1998. He underwent undergraduate training in Oxford and was trained in Haematology in Cambridge and Sheffield before arriving in Leeds. He received his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Oxford.
Sue is not only a trustee she is also the chair of the Harrogate Candlelighters, a group who raise upwards of £50,000 each year to support research into children’s cancer. Sue’s background is firmly rooted in business and offers a commercial eye to the board of trustees.
Jo is responsible for the overall running of Candlelighters. She reports to the board of trustees, keeps them up-to-date and ensures good governance. Jo has many years of experience in the charity sector and her appointment in 2011 heralded a new era in the charity’s history. One of her key achievements has been opening the new Outdoor Pavilion in June 2013. Her latest project in expanding our support for families is The Square which opened in February 2015.
Responsible for the management of the finances of the charity, Pauline is our longest serving member of staff, having joined Candlelighters in 2001. She has a wealth of knowledge so if there's anything you need to know about Candlelighters, Pauline's your lady!
Lucy is PA to the Charity Director and also looks after internal HR for the Charity. She has been working with the Candlelighters since early 2014 and is based at Waverley House three days per week.
Carole has been an integral part of Candlelighters since 2009. As part of the Finance Team, her responsibilities include banking, purchase ledger, booking holidays for our families and processing online giving. Her working days are Monday to Wednesday.
Eve joined Candlelighters in 2012 and quickly made herself indispensable in the clinic office. In 2015, she joined the Finance Team, where her responsibilities include financial administration, banking and stationery ordering. Her working days are Wednesday to Friday.
Noemie joined Candlelighters in 2014 as our Events Fundraiser and, in September 2016, we were delighted to welcome her into the Finance Team. Her responsibilities include processing donations, banking, purchase ledger and processing Gift Aid. Noemie works Monday to Friday.
Marie joined Candlelighters in January 2017 and is responsible for all aspects of income generation, including community, corporate, trusts and capital appeals; as well as developing new income streams to support the future work of charity and ensure sustainability. Marie has a fundraising management background and is passionate about ensuring we can continue to deliver on our promises and programmes.
Jen joined the team in April 2017. She provides stewardship to our supporters in the community, making sure they have everything they need to fundraise for Candlelighters. She will be focusing on increasing awareness, as well as raising funds across Yorkshire, and developing key areas of growth for the charity.
Rebecca joined the fundraising team in May 2017 alongside Jennifer. She provides support and guidance to communities across Yorkshire to ensure they have everything they require to optimise their fundraising events and income. She also focuses on developing and increasing awareness of Candlelighters.
Brian joined the team in November 2015 as our Corporate Fundraiser. He brings over 20 years of fundraising experience and describes his role as the best job he has ever had.
Brian is passionate about working with our corporate partners and recruiting new ones. He wants to increase the number of partnerships and loves nothing more than networking with potential supporters.
Georgina joined the team in March 2017 and is based mainly in the Oncology Day Patients' Clinic at Leeds Children's Hospital. She provides administrative support for the Fundraising Team to ensure that our wonderful supporters get everything they need. Additionally, she is a friendly face for families on the ward to pop in with any questions or queries they may have.
Lucy joined the team in June 2017 on a 12-month placement from the University of Leeds. She is responsible for creating content for the charity's social media accounts, developing the website, producing the monthly e-bulletin and bi-annual newsletter and managing relationships with the local media.
Natalie joined the charity in September 2014, and is now the Family Support Manager at The Square. Working for Candlelighters at The Square she will be able to use her skills and personal experience to help families who have, or have had, a child with cancer.
Clair joined the team in July 2016 and is responsible for developing and delivering the volunteering strategy for Candlelighters, including developing and managing the volunteering programmes.
She is experienced in setting up and managing volunteering programmes and is extremely passionate about the positive impact of volunteering.
Along with Sarah, Lucy helps to run The Square. They will be the first people you meet when you arrive and their role involves a little bit of everything from processing therapy bookings and helping with enquiries, to assisting with running family events but, most importantly, making everyone feel welcome.
Sarah works on the reception desk at The Square with Lucy. She also assists with all the enquiries and works hard to ensure that The Square can be a home from home for families.
Vicky joined Candlelighters in May 2016 and is based at The Square. She organises our family events, including Day of Memories & the Candlelighters Christmas party. As well as The Squares Family Support groups for grandparents, parents & patients. Vicky is also responsible for the Candlelighters Bus, taking The Square's services out across Yorkshire on a weekly basis.
Carly joined the charity in October 2016 and is based at The Square. As well as having personal experience of the effects of childhood cancer, Carly brings experience and knowledge of developing and delivering peer support networks. She is passionate about working with families and will focus on setting up a Family Support Network which will enable families to help each other in different ways.
Patric joined Candlelighters in January 2017 as the charity's first Applied Health Researcher. He works with staff and families, both at The Square and on board the Candlelighters Bus, to explore the services provided and ensure that the future needs of families will be met. Previously, he has worked as a children's nurse (most recently at Leeds General Infirmary) and as a lecturer researcher.
