Candlelighters sparked the imaginations of staff at the Leeds office of investment management and stockbroking firm Redmayne Bentley, who raised just over £10,000 for the Yorkshire children’s charity.
Around 150 staff based at the office at Bond Court in the city’s financial quarter helped to raise £10,009 to help Candlelighters support the region’s children and their families who have been affected by cancer.
Anna Crump, a member of the firm’s Interactive Group of people who coordinate the efforts of staff to volunteer and raise funds for charitable organisations, said: “It’s been a pleasure to raise money for such a good cause and it really caught the imaginations of colleagues. Many colleagues raised money individually as well as contributing to group activities, and we’re really proud to have hit £10,000.”
Compliance monitoring assistant manager Sarah Giles raised more than £2,000 through taking part in the Great North Run in September. Just five months earlier she had supported her department colleague, compliance officer Nigel Finlay, to raise more than £1,400 when she shaved his head and beard during his ‘fundrazor’ event last April.
The office’s Share Shop manager Karen Leach, who is also in the Interactive Group, organised Easter and Halloween fun days, for which staff contributed all kinds of goods. Stockbroker Rob Kilner, facilities manager Bill McKie and corporate actions specialist Becky Thompson donated proceeds from lunchtime talks for staff at the firm’s office in Bond Court on subjects ranging from a previous career in the Antarctic to scuba diving in the Caribbean. In addition, accounts assistant manager Susan Lawson baked more than 100 apple crumbles using home-grown fruit.
There were also group outdoor challenges – marketing and communications manager Fiona Lumb, finance manager Simon Milestone, trainee compliance officer Epo Li and marketing executive Brogan Hirst walked the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge in July. Fiona, Epo and Brogan also took part in the 5k Gung-Ho obstacle course along with data management co-ordinator Nikki Morris, settlements administrator Tim Smith and PR executive Ruth Peterson.
There were also office-wide activities, including sweepstakes, raffles and dress down days.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Jane Dowson, joined Brian Curran, Candlelighters’ Corporate Fundraiser, and staff of the firm as a cheque was handed over for the total amount raised. Candlelighters is also the Lord Mayor’s official charity for the 2017-18 term.
Every penny raised from the Lord Mayor's appeal this year will go towards renovating the Candlelighters Cottage, which will provide the families of children being treated for cancer at Leeds General Infirmary with a home-from-home, reducing the need for hotel stays and travel whilst their child is in hospital, and helping families stay together during distressing and difficult times. The charity needs to raise £500,000 to cover the total cost of purchasing and refurbishing the cottage.
She said: “Candlelighters provides whatever a family needs, when they need it and for as long as they need it. My campaign is to raise the money to make the house a home away from home for the families.
“I just want to say a huge thank you to Redmayne Bentley, who do so much for charity year on year.”
Brian Curran, Candlelighters Corporate Fundraiser, said: “We have enjoyed working with Redmayne Bentley over the last year and it has been great to see the commitment shown in supporting us. The money they have raised will make a significant difference to the support we offer local children with cancer and their families.”
Candlelighters’ work is carried out in various ways, including at the Children’s Hospital at Leeds General Infirmary, as well as The Square in the centre of Leeds. There is also The Bus, which carries this support out into the community.
The charity also funds holidays for families with children being treated for cancer, in addition to family events throughout the year.
You can find out more at
www.candlelighters.org.uk.