£1,800 Grant for Candlelighters! 🌟

The Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge has awarded a £1,800 grant to Candlelighters, a Yorkshire charity supporting families facing childhood cancer. This funding will provide New Patient Grants to three local families in the HX postcode area, offering vital financial relief during an incredibly challenging time. With families often facing an extra £730 per month in costs related to travel, hospital stays, and other expenses, these grants—totalling £600 per family—help ease the burden and allow parents to focus on their child’s recovery.

For over 45 years, Candlelighters has been a lifeline for families across Yorkshire. In the past three years alone, they have supported 19 families from Hebden Bridge and nearby areas. This grant ensures three more families will benefit from their life-changing work.

Candlelighters' work encompasses a wide range of services and initiatives:

• Emotional and Wellbeing Support: Through therapies such as counselling, play therapy, and peer support groups, Candlelighters helps families navigate the emotional challenges of childhood cancer.

• Financial Assistance: Beyond the New Patient Grants, Candlelighters provides various financial grants to cover additional costs incurred during treatment, including travel, accommodation, and daily living expenses.

• Bereavement Support: For families who have lost a child, Candlelighters offers bereavement support to help them cope with their grief and find a path forward.

• Research and NHS Roles: Candlelighters invests in research and NHS frontline roles to improve outcomes for children with cancer, ensuring that families have access to the best possible care and support.

Helen, a mum supported by Candlelighters, shared: "I instantly had to stop working and take a two-year career break, meaning we lost my salary overnight. Travelling back and forth to LGI incurred costs that we had to budget for—petrol, parking, lunches—all added up. The grants from Candlelighters were a lifeline."

By supporting Candlelighters, we are not only easing the financial burden for these families but also contributing to a network of care that has a profound impact on their lives. The Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge is honoured to support Candlelighters' mission and their dedication to making a difference for families facing the unimaginable challenges of childhood cancer.

Read more about Candlelighters at Candlelighters - Fighting Children's Cancer

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