Clarion has announced that its chosen charity for 2023/24, nominated by its 300-strong team, is the Yorkshire-based children’s cancer-fighting charity Candlelighters. This follows two years of fundraising for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF), raising a grand total of £35,500, despite the challenges of Covid lockdowns.
Candlelighters has been helping children with cancer and their families since 1976. It was founded by a group of parents and medical staff who recognised a need for families with children facing childhood cancer to receive extra support.
Lindsey Wrenn, partner in Clarion’s Intellectual Property practice who is leading this year’s charity fund-raising, said: “Giving back to the communities in which we work is very much at the heart of Clarion. It’s important that our team have a say in deciding the causes we support as they throw their heart and soul into raising funds for these fantastic charities. We are all very excited to be partnering with Candlelighters which has been changing the lives of the children and families it supports in Yorkshire for almost 50 years.”
Iain Blackwood Hobbs, partnerships executive for Candlelighters, said: “It means a lot to Candlelighters to have been selected as Clarion’s charity of the year for 2023. Their fundraising this year will make a massive difference to the families that the charity supports, and they will help to fund vital practical, emotional and financial services. We are looking forward to supporting them with the fundraising activities and seeing them take on some exciting challenge events.”
Over the last two years, the Clarion team has undertaken a wide range of activities to raise funds for CHSF which supports the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit (LCHU), a world-class centre of excellence, by providing the funding and resources needed to care for patients and their families. As well as providing life-saving medical equipment, the charity provides parent accommodation and also funds staff training, scientific research and new clinical roles.
From climbing the Yorkshire Three Peaks, running marathons and completing triathlons, to supporting CHSF’s Wear Red Day, World Book Day and holding Advent raffles, Clarion’s charity committee has worked with colleagues to raise funds for CHSF. In December, the team also helped the charity provide Christmas Eve bags for every child in the hospital, including two ‘magic’ knitted snowflakes, one for them to keep with them and one waiting for them at home.
Sophie Morley, partner in Clarion’s Real Estate team who led the firm’s fundraising initiative for the last two years, said: “As ever, the Clarion team have thrown themselves totally into supporting this wonderful charity – we particularly enjoyed the creative photos of the team out and about with CHSF’s Katie Bear mascot! Thanks to every one of them for their enthusiasm and generosity, which combined with some match-funding from the firm, has enabled us to raise such a fantastic amount and help CHSF to continue its life-saving work.”
Andy McNally, head of marketing for CHSF, said: “Children’s Heart Surgery Fund are committed to supporting the 17,000 patients of all ages living with congenital heart disease in our region who pass through the LCHU every year. Clarion’s donations will help CHSF provide life-saving medical equipment, family support including parent accommodation and essential ward resources for the LCHU. CHSF are wholly funded by public donations, and corporate partners like Clarion are vital to enable us to achieve our aims.”
