The charity ball was held in memory of Millie Wright and Peter Woodmansey, teenagers with cancer who both received support from Candlelighters charity, along with their families. The money raised will help children and teenagers who are receiving treatment for cancer or life threatening liver, renal and haematological conditions at Leeds Children’s Hospital.
This year, the Millie Wright Children’s Charity was set up to help address inequalities in charitable support for those whose life-threatening conditions are non-cancerous.
Candlelighters has been supporting children with cancer and their families across Yorkshire for over 45 years.
The Winter Ball was attended by 340 people and began with a drinks reception sponsored and hosted by Pryers Solicitors LLP and operatic music from the trio of Andrew, Sarah and Stephen Woodmansey.
Some More Sponsors and Contributors
- Dressed by Lesley Coulthard of Treasured Occasions Venue Styling
- The wider event was kindly sponsored by Network York Business Club with further sponsorship from Shepherd Building Group Ltd, Fuel Card Services , Equinox Financial Planning Ltd and Gore Browne Investment Management.
- Look North’s Amy Garcia hosted the event, warming up the guests with ‘heads and tails’,
- David Mathewson of TV’s Bangers & Cash led the auction and an impressive raffle featuring prizes from generous donors.
Live music from the fabulous The Y Street Band and equally fantastic Spectrum – both of whom were on top form for the event, holding a packed dance floor from start to finish.
Organisers Alison Woodmansey and Ceri Wright: “The event raised approximately £20,000 to be shared between the two charities – which is amazing for our first Winter Ball. Our volunteers did a sterling job and we are so grateful to them all. Exactis Interactive Print and Andrews Signs & Engravers provided all printed materials for the evening. We are grateful to Greg of Mcgee Photography for giving-up his time to capture the event. Images can be viewed.”
Millie Wright was described by those who knew her as “inspirational and courageous.” She died in August 2021 aged just 13. She had been suffering from an underlying auto-immune health condition – and fell ill in March 2021.
Ceri, Founder of The Millie Wright Children’s Charity: “When a child is given a life-threatening diagnosis, whether it is cancer or not, your world is turned upside down. The diagnosis affects everyone: the child, parents, siblings, grandparents and wider family. We had the unusual experience of spending time on two different wards for different elements of Millie’s treatment. Ward L50 (Liver, Renal and Gastro) and Ward L31 (Haematology and Oncology). On both wards, we were supported by wonderful, caring, hardworking staff. However, on the oncology ward we received additional, amazing, hands-on charitable support from Candlelighters Trust.
Peter Woodmansey, a pupil at Bootham School, died in 2020 of sepsis aged 17 – less than three weeks after receiving a diagnosis of leukaemia. Peter’s friends and family said his kindness, compassion and empathy, as well as his cheeky and hilarious personality, enriched all who met him. Candlelighters supported Peter and his sister Sarah, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.
Alison Woodmansey, Peter’s mum, who helped to organise the ball: “Candlelighters supported us after his leukaemia diagnosis. It’s an amazing charity, working alongside families, providing counselling, giving practical help, access to support groups and funding ground-breaking research.”
The families plan to host the ball again next year in memory of Millie and Peter, to support both of the charities.
Cover photograph: The Woodmansey family.
