Ilkley Candlelighters, who raise money for children’s cancer services and research, have handed over a cheque for £44,000 to Joanne Shepheard from The Candlelighters Charity based in the Yorkshire Regional Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Unit at Leeds General Infirmary.

The Candlelighters Charity raises money that goes towards helping make life for teenagers and children undergoing treatment for cancer in the area as good as it can be. It also provides support for their families.

Ilkley Candlelighters specifically raises money for crucial research into childhood cancers in the Candlelighters lab and in the new brain tumour lab, into epidemiology and many other projects and areas. This was specified by Rosemary Fisher when she founded the charity, as her son had suffered from a very rare form of cancer and she was desperate to promote research.

Ilkley Candlelighters raised the £44,000 through a variety of events in 2013, including supermarket collections, a ladies lunch and fashion show and their annual May ball.

This year the Ilkley Candlelighters are holding their annual ball once again at Rudding Park Hotel on May 10.

The committee is seeking support from individuals and businesses in the region who are interested in sponsorship packages, table bookings or donating auction prizes or prizes for the ‘Top Hat Draw’.

For more information, go to ilkleycandlelighters.org.uk, e-mail Peggy Pullan at info@ilkley candlelighters.org.uk or call 07947 606786.