Yorkshire Choice Awards raises £19,244.94 for Candlelighters

Last week marked a very special moment for the Yorkshire Choice Awards, as founders Joanne and Melanie visited Candlelighters to present a cheque for £19,244.94, raised through this year’s awards.

The cheque presentation was a significant moment, not only because of the amount raised, but because of the difference the funding will make to families across Yorkshire.

Giving back to Yorkshire

When the Yorkshire Choice Awards were founded, the aim was to create a celebration of the incredible people, businesses and organisations that make Yorkshire what it is, while also ensuring the awards could have a wider impact by supporting charities making a real difference within local communities.

Giving back has remained an important part of the Yorkshire Choice Awards, with the generosity of sponsors, nominees, finalists, winners, guests and supporters helping to raise vital funds year after year.

As winners of the Charity Excellence Award 2025, Candlelighters were selected as the Yorkshire Choice Awards’ charity partner for 2026.

Candlelighters supports children and young people with cancer, as well as their families, across Yorkshire.

The £19,244.94 raised through this year’s awards could fund more than 1,100 hours of support from Candlelighters’ Family Support Workers, helping families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

The fundraising total represents a significant contribution towards the care, guidance and practical support Candlelighters provides to families affected by childhood cancer.

A milestone year

2026 has been an especially significant year for both organisations, with the Yorkshire Choice Awards celebrating its 10th anniversary and Candlelighters marking 50 years of supporting Yorkshire families affected by childhood cancer.

Bringing the two anniversaries together alongside such an impressive fundraising total made the cheque presentation particularly meaningful.

Ten years of celebrating Yorkshire, 50 years of Candlelighters supporting families, and one remarkable example of what can be achieved when communities come together for a shared cause.

It takes everyone

A fundraising total of £19,244.94 is the result of a collective effort.

Sponsors, nominees, finalists, winners, guests, supporters and everyone who donated played a part in helping the Yorkshire Choice Awards reach this year’s total.

Their generosity demonstrates the strength of the Yorkshire community and what can be achieved when people and organisations come together to support others.

A heartfelt thank you

The Yorkshire Choice Awards would like to thank everyone who contributed towards the £19,244.94 raised this year.

Thanks also go to the team at Candlelighters for the extraordinary work they continue to do for children, young people and families across Yorkshire.

Knowing that the money raised will help provide vital support to families facing childhood cancer is a powerful reminder of why the charitable element of the Yorkshire Choice Awards continues to be such an important part of the organisation.

Nominations are now open for 2027

Looking ahead, nominations for the 2027 Yorkshire Choice Awards are now open.

Anyone who knows an inspiring individual, business or charitable organisation deserving of recognition is encouraged to share their story and submit a nomination.

After ten years, the Yorkshire Choice Awards remains committed to celebrating Yorkshire, recognising those who make a difference and supporting charities along the way.