Local Homebuilder redecorates staff offices for childhood cancer charity in Leeds

Candlelighters, a Leeds based children’s cancer charity, is benefitting from its continued partnership with Barratt Developments Yorkshire West as the Homebuilder’s employees helped redecorate the charity’s staff offices. 

With Candlelighters serving hundreds of families facing a devastating childhood cancer diagnosis, Barratt Developments Yorkshire West is a major long-term supporter of the charity. Celebrating a five-year partnership, and raising an impressive £41,325 in that time, the local Homebuilder supports the incredible work that Candlelighters do, as they help to make a difference to the lives of those living close to its developments in West Yorkshire. 

This month saw 13 members of staff from Barratt Developments Yorkshire West’s Commercial department head to Candlelighters' offices close by to Leeds Children’s Hospital to help the team redecorate the rooms to improve the environment for charity staff who work tirelessly to improve the lives for families impacted by childhood cancer.

This comes as part of Barratt Developments Yorkshire West’s ‘Donate a Day’ programme, where all employees are encouraged to pledge two full days of volunteering to a local cause each year, which plays a part in ensuring the Homebuilder continues to support the communities in which it builds. 

Candlelighters began in 1976, when a group of parents and medical staff recognised a need for families with children facing childhood cancer to receive extra support. Today, it provides families with emotional, practical and financial support, and hope, by investing in vital research to improve the outcomes and lives of children with cancer. 

In addition, Candlelighters has an invaluable presence at the oncology wards and clinic at Leeds Children’s Hospital to provide comfort to the families, with crucial front-line support from its Family Support Workers. ​​By funding decorations, activities and home comforts for the children, Candlelighters work to make the hospital environment feel a little less daunting in such a challenging time.  

On the volunteering from the Homebuilder, Partnership Executive, Iain Blackwood Hobbs at Candlelighters said: “We’re so grateful for Barratt Developments Yorkshire West’s continued support over the years, and we’re thrilled to have received some much-needed help from its Commercial Team. The space looks fantastic and it's the generosity of our donors that makes a difference for us and our ability to support families. It’s wonderful to see such a reputable organisation pledge its employees’ time to serve local charities and we hope our partnership with Barratt continues for a long time.”

Lindsey Sills, Commercial Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire West added: “We had a fantastic day at Candlelighters and it was truly rewarding to be able to help such an amazing charity, together as a team. It was great to step away from our usual work and get stuck in with painting the rooms, and we hope our work has made a difference for the team at Candlelighters' working hard to offer its incredible services to families.”