Georgina Johnstone was just one year old when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour and her family have been raising money and awareness to help children like her ever since.

In August 2022, Georgina became tired and grouchy and started to be sick each morning. Her mum, Issy Rowe, a teacher from Harrogate, thought recently prescribed antibiotics for an ear infection were to blame. But when the tablets stopped and the sickness continued, the family became worried.

Issy took her to the GP, who thought it might have been a virus or urinary tract infection. After five more days of sickness, Issy knew things weren’t right. They were referred to Harrogate District Hospital after their third visit to a doctor.

At first, the hospital had no major concerns and suggested a return visit a week later. Yet Issy persisted and an MRI scan was done the following day.

The scan found a significant cancerous mass on Georgina’s brain, and she was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary.

The SATS showed that the tumour was a quarter of the size of her brain. The tumour was cutting her brain off from her body and her family were told they would need to operate to remove it or Georgina would die.

The next day, the doctors operated on her for five hours and removed the 16cm tumour. After surgery, a 56-week treatment plan was put in place, involving high-dose chemotherapy, in seven cycles over eight weeks.

It all meant that going to nursery had to be put on hold until she was better. In December 2023, Georgina was given the all-clear.

Issy said:

“Its early days still – she only came off medication eight weeks ago, but her last scan was all clear. It’s been amazing to adjust back to family life and reality. She’s full of energy, which is lovely. You don’t realise how poorly they are until you see them better.”

Throughout her daughter’s treatment, Issy raised funds and awareness for The Brain Tumour Charity and friends and family also supported the fundraising. They have raised over £21,000 so far through completing the Three Peaks Challenge, sponsored runs, quizzes and a wellness retreat.

This year, the family have chosen to raise funds for Candlelighters, children’s cancer charity. Issy said they wanted funds to go to a local charity this year to directly help the children on the oncology ward at Leeds General Infirmary.

They have set a target to reach £5,000 – the same goal as last year – but are hoping to exceed it and even beat the £21,000 already raised.

Issy added:

“We definitely want to get more people involved and raise more money.”

They have a few fundraising events planned already involving the Three Peaks Challenge on May 11, another wellness weekend in October and one of their first events is set to be a sporting morning. The event is to be held on January 14 by Harrogate Strays Walking Football Club, a team for over-50s where Georgina’s grandfather, Derek Rowe, is a manager.

To donate to Georgina’s page click here.

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A Starbeck woman is set to take on a 50-length swim in aid of a children’s cancer charity.

Carol Bland, who is 67 and has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis and fibromyalgia, aims to raise funds for Candelighters, which helped her after her 12-year-old daughter Faye died.

Faye had leukaemia and passed away in 1991.

Carol said the Leeds-based charity helped the family during the two years her daughter was ill.

She said:

“The Candlelighters did a lot for us as a family for the two years that Faye was ill. They also provided us with a free caravan at Primrose Valley after we lost her.”

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The 67-year-old now wants to thank the charity for their help and is planning a 50-length swim at Starbeck Pool.

She will take on the challenge on her birthday and is asking for donations instead of presents.

Carol added:

“I’m not in the best of health anymore and can’t participate in the walks or runs so I decided that for my birthday on December 17 instead of presents I would ask for sponsorship to do a 50-length swim of Starbeck Pool.”

For more information about Candlelighters and to donate to Carol’s swimming challenge, visit the donations page here.

The town of Pateley Bridge has turned itself pink this week as part of a fundraising initiative on behalf of young resident Arlo, who is undergoing treatment for leukaemia.

Arlo Marshall turned one today and is off to the zoo with family to celebrate. He was diagnosed with infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in February.

Since then he can only see friends and family outside, to protect him from picking up any illnesses. On Saturday the family were able to invite around 20 friends to Pateley Bridge’s party in the park to celebrate the jubilee and Arlo’s birthday.

The Marshall family turned out in force on Saturday.

Throughout his treatment, the family have been supported by Yorkshire charity Candlelighters, which supports families dealing with childhood leukaemia.

The family has now begun fundraising for the charity and has so far generated more than £1,000.

Pink It Up week is a Candlelighters initiative to raise awareness of children with cancer and the town of Pateley Bridge has wasted no time getting involved.

Shops have decorated their windows in pink, schools have organised non-uniform days, local group Knit and Natter has knitted bunting for the Methodist Church and Sunflower Nursery and bakeries and cafes have sold special buns and cakes.

Pateley Bridge shops turn pink

Arlo’s parents, Katie and Jowayne Marshall, said:

“Our world has been turned upside down, but Candlelighters have been there to support us every step of the way. They do so much to support families like us by funding support and social workers, providing closer accommodation whilst Also has been in hospital in Leeds, funding research, providing extra play teams, offering counselling and wellbeing sessions … the list goes on!

“As a family we would like to support this amazing Yorkshire charity by wearing pink and making everything as pink as possible. This way we can create a memento to look back at Arlo’s 1st birthday.”

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Each year, more than 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer.

Pink It Up runs in Pateley Bridge until Sunday. To donate to Arlo’s fundraiser, click here.

A Harrogate family is supporting a Yorkshire cancer charity in raising awareness for International Childhood Cancer Day by talking openly about the impact on families.

Candlelighters is based in Leeds and helps families across Yorkshire affected by childhood cancer.

The Downie family from Harrogate have praised the charity after it helped them during their daughter’s cancer treatment.

Marnie Downie-Keally, aged six, was diagnosed with Low-grade Pilocytic Astrocytoma (a type of brain tumour) when she was two years old. In late 2018 after an MRI scan, it was decided that Marnie would need to go through chemotherapy for 18 months.

Her mum Sally had to stop working to take care of her daughter. Candlelighters was able to offer some financial support during this time as well as emotional support.

Sally said:

“I had worked full time in the pharmaceutical industry but at that point had to stop work to care for Marnie.”

“There are far too many things to list that Candlelighters have done for us since Marnie’s diagnosis and, unless you are being supported by them, I don’t think you can ever fully appreciate what they do.”

Marnie is now doing well after finishing her treatment in June 2020.

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In Yorkshire alone, 150 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Candlelighters says its aim is to offer support to these children and their families whether that is by offering respite to parents or financial grants.

Candlelighters chief executive, Emily Wragg, said:

“We are proud of the many ways we support families emotionally, practically and financially – which has continued throughout the pandemic. We also bring hope to families by investing in vital research, education and training, helping to improve long-term outcomes for patients.”

A Harrogate family is urging people not to forget vital charities this Christmas.

The Riley family found out first hand just how important support from a specialist charity can be when it is needed, after daughter Rosie was diagnosed with cancer.

Rosie – aged just six at the time – was found to have acute myeloid leukaemia just before Christmas 2015. Suddenly, the family was thrust into a world of tests and treatment, and found the support of children’s cancer charity Candlelighters invaluable.

Mum Lisa said:

“During her treatment, we lived at the LGI for five months and Candlelighters made Rosie smile every day. They would visit her room when she was too poorly to go to the playroom, they would bring little gifts to cheer her up and they always had time for a chat.

“The sweetie trolley was a weekly highlight and the presents on Christmas Eve were very exciting – and Santa’s visit of course!”

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Candlelighters has continued to support families this year and said it will make Christmas special for them. Children spending Christmas in hospital will be able to enjoy gifts, themed events and a virtual visit from Santa.

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The charity’s support for children does not end when they leave the hospital, either. This year, it has adapted its work to support families facing the additional complications of covid, from worries about keeping their children safe from the virus to dealing with even more financial pressure.

Like many charities, Candlelighters’ fundraising opportunities have been limited this year by the pandemic. Reliant on donations from the community to continue supporting families, it is appealing for people to keep contributing towards its efforts this Christmas.

Rosie had successful treatment in 2016, with four rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, before returning home and getting back to school. Now aged 11, she continues to be helped by Candlelighters, which says its support lasts a lifetime.

Lisa added:

“If you are thinking of raising money for Candlelighters, I absolutely urge you. They make a rubbish day a good day and turn a sad face into a smiley face.

“We absolutely can’t thank Candlelighters enough, we would have been lost without them”.

A Summerbridge man has written a children’s book during lockdown to raise money for children’s cancer charity Candlelighters.

The author, Joe Bothamley, connected with the charity after wanting to do some fundraising following his father’s cancer diagnosis.

His parents suggested Candlelighters, which works with children and families dealing with cancer in Yorkshire.

The main message of the book, called The Secret of Hartwith Hill, is the value of community. The author was inspired by the new-found community spirit he saw during lockdown.

Joe said:

“The idea came at a time when my daughter wasn’t getting into the bath and I was making up stories to distract her. I wanted to raise money for a cancer charity after my dad was diagnosed with stomach cancer. The response has been incredible – we raised £1,800 in the first three days and it’s continuing to grow momentum.

“The work Candlelighters do is incredible; the decisions those families are making each day are unthinkable. I just hope the momentum continues to grow and we can raise more for them.”

The author hopes he can continue to raise money for the Yorkshire-based charity.

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This is Joe’s first book and was written while he was off work during lockdown.

Today is the first day the books are being sent out. The author hopes the fundraising can continue as he returns to his job as a painter and decorator.

The head of fundraising and marketing for Candlelighters, Leanne Windell, said:

“We’re touched that Joe has chosen to support Candlelighters in such a lovely and unique way. The coronavirus pandemic has had a catastrophic impact on our fundraising and we expect to lose £865,000 this year.

“It has been an incredibly difficult time for families affected by childhood cancer and it is crucial that, no matter what, we continue to support them, to ensure they are not facing these challenging times alone. Joe has made such a vital contribution to this effort and we are very thankful.”

To buy the book and support Candlelighters, click here.