Candlelighters announced as Walker Morris’ Charity of the Year

Each year, 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 family. Getting well again can be a long and challenging journey, emotionally, physically, and financially. Supporting children and families throughout that journey is why Candlelighters, was formed more than 45 years ago. Their mission is to bring light to every family affected by childhood cancer across Yorkshire by providing emotional, practical and financial support, as well as bringing hope, by investing in vital research to improve the outcomes and lives of children with cancer. Candlelighters relies on the generosity of businesses and individuals to ensure its vital services are available for families.

To kick-start their fundraising efforts the team at Walker Morris held a Halloween bake sale which raised over £200. The team has many more fundraising activities planned over the next 12 months including: bake sales, sweepstakes, the annual Christmas raffle, Movember, the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, Total Warrior, Great North Run, Leeds 10k, Pink it Up Week, a family fun day, a charity swim and the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

Each year employees are invited to nominate local charities that have either impacted directly on their lives or that they passionately support. The nominated charities are then considered for a shortlist which all employees have the opportunity to vote on. The chosen charity receives all the money raised from the fundraising activities and events that take place throughout the course of the year.

Iain Blackwood Hobbs, Partnership Executive at Candlelighters said:

“We are absolutely thrilled that Walker Morris has decided to support us as their charity of the year. Their fundraising plans over the next year will help to ensure children and their families have all the support they need during an incredibly difficult journey, and I’m really excited to be working with them.”

Rob Payne from Walker Morris’ Charity Committee commented:

“We are pleased to announced Candlelighters as our new Charity of the Year. As a firm, we are delighted to be able to work so closely with a charity that makes such a positive contribution to the people it supports. We are excited to have the opportunity to work alongside Candlelighters over the next 12 months and we already have a whole programme of fundraising activities planned to raise awareness and much needed funding for this fantastic organisation.”

James Crayton, Partner at Walker Morris added:

“I know from personal experience what an amazing job Candlelighters do. In the darkest times, and when facing the most challenging of challenges, they are there by the side of children fighting cancer and their families. Every penny raised makes a real difference to those children – be it big things, like funding specialist nurses; fun things, like days out for the kids; or tiny but hugely important things, like making sure that kids going through chemo who struggle to drink have a steady supply of ice lollies. I’m so proud that we can support such an inspirational charity.”