'Lifeline' children's cancer charity's £19k boost to support work that 'brings light in darkest moments'

The Yorkshire Choice Awards are celebrating a milestone of £19,244 raised for Yorkshire children’s cancer charity Candlelighter.

This year’s event celebrated inspiring achievements from across the region, with awards for Local Fundraiser of the Year, Yorkshire Entrepreneur of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year.

Each year, the event also supports a charity, raising funds on the night to benefit good causes in the local community. This year, the chosen charity was Candlelighters, which supports the families of children and young people with cancer in Yorkshire.

Melanie Malcolm and Jo Maltby, directors of the Yorkshire Choice Awards, visited the Candlelighters family support centre last week to present the team with the money raised.

They said: “We are incredibly proud to have raised £19,244 for Candlelighters, our chosen charity after they won the Yorkshire Choice Awards Charitable Excellence Award 2025.

"The support for our chosen charity is incredible year after year, and this year was no exception. A huge thank you to everyone who donated and helped us raise such a fantastic amount for Candlelighters and the wonderful work they do.”

Emily Wragg, CEO of Candlelighters, said, “Each year, 150 families in Yorkshire receive the devastating news that their child has cancer. Candlelighters exists to bring comfort and care to these families, offering emotional, practical and financial support that brings light in the darkest of moments.

"We receive no government funding, which is why the incredible funds raised from the 2026 Yorkshire Choice Awards will make such a difference to the families we support.”

It comes as Candlelighters celebrates its 50th anniversary and the Yorkshire Choice Awards celebrates its tenth year.

She added: “The amazing amount raised could fund over 1,100 hours of support from our dedicated Family Support Workers, based at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

"They provide a lifeline to families – giving practical and emotional support from the moment a family walks through the hospital doors. We are hugely grateful to everyone involved in making the event such a success and ensuring our support for children and families can continue.”