Yeadon mum organising her third 'thankyou' ball for Candlelighters

Michelle Pattison has raised thousands of pounds for the children's cancer charity since staging her first Pink and Sparkly themed event in 2016.

Candlelighters have been providing vital support for Michelle and her family since her son Owen, now ten, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2014.

This year's ball will take place at The Mercure Parkway Hotel, near Bramhope, on Friday, May 11 from 7pm to 1am.

And the dress code, of course, is 'pink and sparkly' evening wear.

Tickets cost £35 which includes a three course meal and a gift bag upon arrival. The evening will also feature a raffle, auction, photo booth and caricaturist along with other entertainment.

Michelle said: "I love arranging and organising events, and to raise money at the same time is a pleasure.

"Since my son, Owen, was diagnosed three years ago Candlelighters have supported my whole family with various different things.

"This is my way of giving back.

"Having a child diagnosed with cancer is a horrendous, life changing event for families and if my ball raises money to enable Candlelighters to take some pressure from those families I am always happy to help."

Community Fundraiser at Candlelighters, Jen Aspinall, added: "Michelle has put a huge amount of work into the ball and it will be a fantastic night.

"We are so grateful to her for all of her continued support - without people like her we simply would not be able to continue providing care and support for children with cancer and their families.

"Michelle and her family and friends have raised nearly £9,000 in the last few years for Candlelighters, which is absolutely incredible!"

The charity and Michelle, meanwhile, have expressed special thanks the Mercure Parkway Hotel, for helping organise the event, and to sponsors Leeds Bradford Landscaping.

To book tickets or find out more contact Michelle on 07544 017433.

It costs Candlelighters £1.6 million a year to provide a variety of services to support the families of children suffering from cancer.

Michelle won the Event of the Year award from the charity in 2016 in recognition of the success of her first ball, which was held in Menston.

Anyone interested in organising an event for Candlelighters is asked to visit www.candlelighters.org.uk/in-your-community-or-individually or call Jen Aspinall on 0113 322 9283.