Every Wednesday morning I attend a breakfast meeting at The Novotel in York. It is a referral based networking group, one of the more formal forms of networking that I engage with.
That doesn’t mean we’re not able to have fun though. This weekend the group are holding a family friendly music festival at The Red Lion, Upper Poppleton. Visitors will discover great live music from local headline bands; entertainment for the children, beer and food. I offered to promote the event with an article for York Press. On submission to the news desk, the article has been slightly edited to fit the needs of the newspaper and their readers.
You can read my piece below, and the final press copy in the York Press business section online.
York Business Group Fundraising Event for Childrens Cancer Charity
Members of local business group York Trusted Professionals have come together to raise money for charity with a music festival on the 10th of June.
TrustFest, to be held at The Red Lion in Upper Poppleton, will raise funds for childrens cancer charity Candlelighters, the groups’ charity member of 2017. It promises to be a family friendly experience packed with live music from headline act The Mothers and a number of other popular York bands, children’s entertainment, and a prosecco bar and craft beer for the grown-ups.
“It’s important to us to provide something for everyone in the family.” says Gill Mallon, co-organiser and owner of Electrifying Promotions. “Younger ones can enjoy watching the children’s entertainer or have a go on the ride for no extra cost, while the grown-ups relax in front of the music stage.”
Candlelighters – One Family’s Experience of Child Cancer
Candlelighters were chosen as the charity member when Ian Dawson, the network group founder, witnessed the vital support offered to his friend Andy Shield and two year old daughter Sienna. Diagnosed with a brain tumour in June last year, Sienna underwent fourteen hours of surgery to remove the tumour in July, followed by over 6 months of intensive chemotherapy treatment and further sessions of radiotherapy.
Candlelighters made a huge difference to their quality of life at this time.
“Between July and February we spent around 90% of our time on the ward at Leeds General Infirmary.” Andy said. “Not only do Candlelighters fund a playroom staffed with play team members, they make sure that the children have lots to do on the ward with a well-stocked DVD collection and PlayStation for the older ones.”
A child cancer diagnosis can place a strain on the whole family, so the charity established Candlelighters at the Square just five minutes away from the LGI. This meant that Andy and his wife could choose to take a break from the hospital environment and visit The Square for a coffee or one of the smoothies on offer. There is a massage therapist on site and weekly appointments with a hairdresser.
“At first we didn’t think we should be doing these things.” Andy says. “But it is very helpful when you’re tired and don’t have much spare time. I usually fell asleep during a massage.”
The Shield Family also had the opportunity to create lasting family memories with a winter wonderland break at Centre Parcs.
“When we booked through Candlelighters we had no idea where we would be in Sienna’s treatment, but we were fortunate with the timing. It was a magical experience, a very positive memory and something we would never have thought to do ourselves. We’re going back this year and Sienna is looking forward to the trip already, she talks about it all the time.”
Attend the Event
Candlelighters relies on charitable donations to continue providing these important support services, as well as helping to fund various research projects across the Yorkshire region. With tickets available to pre-book, TrustFest 2017 will bring local businesses together with the general public to have fun and raise lots of money. The festivities begin at 2pm; buy your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
Visit www.yorktrusted.com/trustfest2017 to buy your tickets for TrustFest 2017 and help support the good work of cancer charity Candlelighters.
