A Yorkshire childhood cancer charity has marked a major milestone, having donated more than half a million pounds to support a vital 'Home from Home' for families in Leeds over three decades.
A Three-Decade Partnership Supporting Families
Candlelighters has contributed over £500,000 to The Sick Children's Trust's Eckersley House since 1994. The charity has worked alongside the trust for more than 30 years to ensure the accommodation's doors stay open for families during some of the most challenging periods of their lives. The facility is located directly opposite the Leeds Children's Hospital.
Eckersley House offers 23 bedrooms, shared kitchens, and living spaces, providing immediate access to the hospital. This crucial service helps families avoid the high cost of hotels or the distress of sleeping on busy hospital wards. Alongside the Candlelighters Cottage, which opened in 2018, this accommodation acts as a lifeline for those facing extended hospital stays.
A Family's Story: "A Chance to Breathe"
The real-world impact of this support is powerfully illustrated by the experience of three-year-old Noah Butterfield from Bradford and his parents, Amy and James. The family stayed at Eckersley House for six months during Noah's cancer treatment in 2025.
"Eckersley House was a massive help to us," said Amy Butterfield. "Having a bed to sleep in over the road from Noah was such a help. James and I would swap doing the nights, so one of us had a good night’s sleep while the other stayed with Noah."
She highlighted the practical benefits of cooking and laundry facilities, adding: "It gave us time and space to zone out for a little bit, a chance to breathe for five minutes. It was amazing."
Charity Leaders Hail Vital Collaboration
Jane McHale, House Manager at Eckersley House, emphasised the indispensable role of the long-term partnership. "We simply couldn’t do what we do without Candlelighters’ incredible generosity and loyalty over more than 30 years," she stated. "Their support has helped thousands of families stay together during some of the hardest moments imaginable."
Emily Wragg, CEO of Candlelighters, echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in the enduring collaboration. "We’re incredibly proud to have worked with The Sick Children’s Trust for over 30 years to ensure that when a family whose child has cancer needs somewhere to stay, there’s a room for them close to the hospital," she said.
Wragg concluded: "Alongside our own home-from-home accommodation at the Candlelighters Cottage, the rooms at Eckersley House mean there is always somewhere for families to stay."
