2025 Shortlist | Candlelighters

Candlelighters

Winner – Challenge to Change

About the Charity

Candlelighters provides vital support to families affected by childhood cancer in Yorkshire. Founded more than 45 years ago, the charity supports around 1,000 people annually by offering services like play support, talking therapies, peer groups, financial grants, and holidays. Candlelighters also strengthens the NHS by funding specialist hospital roles and investing in cancer research.

The charity’s work is centred around helping families navigate the challenging journey of childhood cancer, ensuring they are emotionally, practically, and financially supported.

Charity number: 1045077 | www.Candlelighters.org.uk
England – Yorkshire & the Humber | 26-100 paid staff

What the Board Achieved

The board recognised the significant financial strain faced by families affected by childhood cancer, particularly when it comes to the costs associated with hospital stays. Following a comprehensive review of the charity’s support services, which involved surveys, focus groups, and interviews with families, the board identified that food insecurity was a growing challenge. Families often had to cover the costs of meals for themselves and siblings, as the NHS only provided food for the child undergoing treatment. The board’s research found that, even before the cost-of-living crisis, families were already spending an additional £600 a month on average due to their children’s illnesses. As this burden intensified with rising living costs, trustees saw an urgent need to address the issue in a sustainable way.

In response, the board decided to pilot Champ’s Pantry, a dedicated food service based in Candlelighters’ family support centre, The Square. The pantry was stocked with a range of healthy meals, snacks, and essential food items, all provided free of charge to parents and siblings of children undergoing cancer treatment at Leeds Children’s Hospital. This initiative was carefully planned, with the board evaluating various potential solutions, such as meal vouchers, before settling on the pantry model due to its practicality and alignment with the charity’s resources. Throughout the trial phase, the board closely monitored usage and gathered feedback from families, ensuring that the service met their needs and could be sustainably funded.

Given the success of the trial, with consistent use by families and overwhelmingly positive feedback, the board made the strategic decision to embed Champ’s Pantry as a permanent service. This marked a significant achievement, not only in terms of providing practical support but also in demonstrating Candlelighters’ capacity for innovation in tackling the financial challenges of childhood cancer. The service has since become an integral part of the charity’s offering, helping to ease the financial burden and reducing stress for families. The board’s leadership ensured that the pantry was both effective and sustainable, securing dedicated funding and forging new partnerships to maintain its long-term viability.

What Inspired the Judges

Judges were inspired by Candlelighters’ proactive, evidence-based approach to solving a pressing challenge. The board’s decision to launch Champ’s Pantry was rooted in comprehensive research and direct consultation with families, ensuring the service addressed a real need. The board defined the problem clearly and bolstered its decisions with research, testing different ideas and dropping what didn’t work. The pantry’s trial phase was carefully evaluated, and the board’s willingness to pivot and adapt based on feedback demonstrated a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

The board’s leadership in creating a sustainable, impactful solution that tackles the hidden costs of childhood cancer was a standout example of strategic, long-term thinking. The feedback from families—some of their heart-felt statements were included in the entry—highlighted the significant relief the pantry provides, not just financially, but emotionally as well. This initiative reflects Candlelighters’ commitment to reducing the financial burden on families, making a meaningful difference in their lives during an incredibly difficult time.