YORKSHIRE, UK. 3rd September, 2024 – Children’s cancer charity, Candlelighters, held their annual Family Fun Day at Sherburn Aero Club in Yorkshire during the summer holidays for children diagnosed with cancer and their families.
The event took place at Sherburn-in-Elmet Airfield at the end of July and included a range of fun activities from flying in light aircraft, to seeing the inside of a fire engine, to being driven around the airfield in fast cars. There was also a disco, face-painting and a selection of prizes to be won in a raffle on the day.
Lori Reed, who is a community support worker for Candlelighters and part of the team at the Airfield on the day, says the event is an important fixture in the Candlelighters diary.
“The Family Fun Day is a great opportunity for families to be able to come together for a relaxed day where the pressure is off for a short while,” said Lori. “Being able to watch families make memories and spend quality time together at an event where they feel comfortable and supported is what it is all about. It was clear to see how much the day meant to them and we’re grateful to the volunteers who ensured everything ran smoothly — we couldn’t have done it without them.”
As well as volunteers from Candlelighters, the Family Fun Day was supported by the Sherburn Aero Club, which is based at Sherburn-in-Elmet Airfield in North Yorkshire. The Club provides pilot training, flying experiences and a flying club for its members and has been organising the Family Fun Day for Candlelighters for more than 15 years. The range of activities it includes ensures all children and their families are able to participate.
“Nothing compares to seeing so many oncology families coming together, sharing smiles and creating beautiful memories,” said a parent who attended on the day. “It was a fantastic day filled with love and laughter. A huge thank you to everyone involved.”
Candlelighters is a Yorkshire-based charity and has been supporting children diagnosed with cancer and their families for almost 50 years. As well as providing a range of support on the oncology wards at Leeds Children’s Hospital, the charity provides emotional and practical support at its Family Support Centre in Leeds and helps fund vital research into children’s cancer and its impact. The annual Family Fun Day is one event in a busy calendar of support for families across the Yorkshire region.
Around 150 children are diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire every year, with this extending to more than 2000 in the UK as a whole. Candlelighters exists to provide comprehensive support to children with a cancer diagnosis and their families across the Yorkshire region, as well as improve the outcomes and lives of children with cancer everywhere by supporting vital research.
Anyone wishing to find out more about how they can support children diagnosed with cancer and their families in the Yorkshire region can visit the Candlelighters website: https://www.candlelighters.org.uk