THE founder of a Settle charity is retiring from the group after 20 years - and after helping to raise an impressive £65,000.

Janet Tomlinson launched the Settle branch of children's cancer charity Candlelighters in 1978, together with fellow founder member Nancy Smith.

Both women had lost children to the disease when they decided to start the group - and 20 years on it has raised the grand total of £65,251.

Now, however, Janet has decided it is time to stand down and hand over responsibility to the other members.

"I have enjoyed being part of it and I will miss organising the events," she told the Herald. "But I will still help out - they can do the organising and I will turn up on the day and help!"

Candlelighters is based at St James' hospital in Leeds and was formed in 1971 by the parents of children suffering from cancer or leukaemia.

Money raised by the charity is vital, and is used to buy essential medical equipment, fund medical research and to provide moral and financial support for patients' families.

Janet's own involvement came about after she held a coffee morning to raise money for Cookridge Hospital in Leeds, where her own daughter had received treatment.

She then joined forces with Nancy Smith, who has since left the area, to start a local branch of Candlelighters.

"We thought of a handful of names and went round to visit them and see if they would join us," she said.

Over the years, the charity has benefited from a whole host of fundraising events, from parachute jumps to sponsored dog walks.

It has also received many generous donations from local organisations and schools.

Money raised by the group has helped in a whole range of ways, by buying medical equipment, furniture for the flats where parents can stay with their children, Christmas presents and even caravans so the patients can enjoy a holiday with their families.

"It started off as providing relief for the patients and their families," said Janet. "There was not even a children's ward when my daughter went to Cookridge."

The Settle group's most recent challenge was to raise £5,000 for an infra-operative ultrasound machine to be used by neuro-surgeons operating on children with brain tumours.

In the end, the group was able to send off £6,300.

This week, Janet urged the group to keep up the good work: "I will always be there to give a hand," she added.

The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month and is always looking for new members and helpers. Anyone interested should ring Wendy Dutton on 01729 824196.

The next fundraiser is a quiz night at Settle Social Club on March 27 at 7.30pm.

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