Reliance Employees Raise over £7500 for Candlelighters

Last weekend, a team of eleven Reliance Precision Limited (‘Reliance’) employees completed the National Three Peaks Challenge, raising an incredible £7625 for children’s cancer charity, Candlelighters.

The National Three Peaks Challenge involves walking the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales. The team started with Ben Nevis on the 9th of June and completed Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) on the 10th. The walking team: Ashley Scott, Ben Sheard, Joseph O’Hara, Matthew Wilson, Becky Liddle, Adam Petherick, Chris Gill, Jimmy Lodge and Paul Wilson were driven to each mountain by drivers Mick Clark and John Liddle.

The event was organised by Manufacturing Engineering, Ashley Scott. He said:

“The challenge was actually more difficult than I expected but we had great weather and we managed to complete all three peaks, in just over twenty-four hours. It was a fantastic experience which I was able to share with my colleagues, whilst raising money for an incredible local charity. We were also really pleased when we heard that the company was going to be donating towards our fundraising goal, as this took us comfortably over our £5000 target. Everyone is so proud of us at work and there’s a real buzz about the place because of it. We’d all like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated – we couldn’t have done it without your support”.

Anais, age 11.

Mick Clark, Manufacturing Engineer, suggested raising money for Candlelighters because of a personal connection to the charity. His niece, Anais, was diagnosed with a metastatic Wilms tumour when she was five years old. Aaron Stainthorpe, Anais’ father, commented:

“We were so pleased to hear that Mick and the team were raising money for such an important cause. Candlelighters helped us with everything, from support on the ward, accommodation next to the hospital, trips to Center Parcs and even things as simple as bringing us a cup of tea – all completely free of charge. When we felt like we were sinking, Candlelighters threw us a lifeline. When Anais was feeling better, they arranged fun things to do like colouring and other entertainment at their facility in the centre of Leeds. Anais rang the bell in 2018 and is now a happy, healthy 11-year-old but Candlelighters still support the whole family to this day. They even organise community groups so that you can speak to other families affected by childhood cancer. You can feel so alone but Candlelighters reminds you that you’re not.”

Iain Blackwood-Hobbs, Partnerships Executive at Candlelighters, said:

“We are so grateful to have had the support of the Reliance team with this fantastic challenge. We receive no government funding so rely entirely on the support of brilliant people and businesses to make our support for families possible. The amount raised by the team could fund seven months of talking therapy sessions for children with cancer and their siblings to work through their worries and emotions, or the running costs of the whole charity for a day, including our support workers, research projects, and family support centre. This is an amazing impact to have for children like Anais and their families; the team should be so proud of what they have achieved. Thank you, Team Reliance!”

To see photographs of the challenge, or to donate, please visit the team’s JustGiving page.