The second annual Pink It Up Weekender has once again united communities across Yorkshire in support of Candlelighters, raising in excess of £11,500 for children and young people with cancer and their families.
Organised by Leeds, Yorkshire-based recruitment specialist P.J Staffing, the fundraising campaign saw businesses, venues and supporters across Leeds, and York turn pink to raise vital funds and awareness for the Yorkshire charity.
The incredible success follows an outstanding inaugural event in 2025, which raised £7,000 during the Pink It Up Weekender and contributed towards P.J Staffing’s first-year fundraising total of more than £12,650 as part of its three-year partnership with Candlelighters, bring their fundraising total over £24,000 since April 2025.
Throughout the weekend, businesses and venues embraced the campaign through fundraising activities including charity raffles, donation drives, themed events, pink-inspired food and drink offers, and awareness initiatives. The event also continued its tradition of turning landmarks and venues pink in support of the cause.
Supporting businesses and landmarks included Blayds Bar, Queens Court & Glamorous, The New Penny, Hotel Indigo, West Ridings, Milford Rugby Club, Leeds City Council, REconnected Magazine, Firefly Hub, Santander Leeds, Sous Le Nez, Joanne Hawley, Christina Victoria, Impossible York, York Mix Radio, Counter Interiors, the Civic Hall, Town Hall and City Museum, York Bar walls, Cliffords Tower, Millennium Bridge, Bootham Bar, Micklegate Bar, the Milner Hotel, and more.
Paul McCallum, organiser of the Pink It Up Weekender and Managing Director of P.J Staffing, said: “The support we’ve received across Yorkshire has been incredible. What started as a Leeds-based fundraising event has already grown into something much bigger, bringing together businesses, venues and local communities across the region to support an amazing cause. Every pound raised helps Candlelighters continue providing vital support to children, young people and families facing cancer.”
The incredible success follows an outstanding inaugural event in 2025, which raised £7,000 during the Pink It Up Weekender and contributed towards P.J Staffing’s first-year fundraising total of more than £12,650 as part of its three-year partnership with Candlelighters, bring their fundraising total over £24,000 since April 2025.
Throughout the weekend, businesses and venues embraced the campaign through fundraising activities including charity raffles, donation drives, themed events, pink-inspired food and drink offers, and awareness initiatives. The event also continued its tradition of turning landmarks and venues pink in support of the cause.
Supporting businesses and landmarks included Blayds Bar, Queens Court & Glamorous, The New Penny, Hotel Indigo, West Ridings, Milford Rugby Club, Leeds City Council, REconnected Magazine, Firefly Hub, Santander Leeds, Sous Le Nez, Joanne Hawley, Christina Victoria, Impossible York, York Mix Radio, Counter Interiors, the Civic Hall, Town Hall and City Museum, York Bar walls, Cliffords Tower, Millennium Bridge, Bootham Bar, Micklegate Bar, the Milner Hotel, and more.
Paul McCallum, organiser of the Pink It Up Weekender and Managing Director of P.J Staffing, said: “The support we’ve received across Yorkshire has been incredible. What started as a Leeds-based fundraising event has already grown into something much bigger, bringing together businesses, venues and local communities across the region to support an amazing cause. Every pound raised helps Candlelighters continue providing vital support to children, young people and families facing cancer.”
The expanded 2026 event reflects the growing momentum behind the initiative and the shared commitment of Yorkshire businesses and communities to supporting families affected by childhood cancer.
Since beginning its partnership with Candlelighters in April 2025, P.J Staffing has worked closely with the charity to raise both funds and awareness, helping ensure more families across Yorkshire can access the emotional, practical and financial support they need during some of the most challenging times of their lives.
Thanks to the continued success of the Pink it up weekender campaign with many incredible landmarks, businesses and venues in Leeds and York lighting up pink and raising funds for the cause, Paul McCallum will be bringing it back for a third year in 2027, with a planned date of Thursday the 3rd to Sunday the 6th June.
For more information about P.J Staffing’s fundraising efforts, Candlelighters, and a full list of participating businesses and landmarks, visit www.pjstaffing.co.uk and www.candlelighters.org.uk.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About P.J Staffing
P.J Staffing is a Yorkshire-based recruitment business and proud Guardian Supporter of Candlelighters. Since April 2025, the company has partnered with the charity to raise funds and awareness through a range of community-led initiatives and events.
About Candlelighters
Candlelighters supports children and young people with cancer, and their families, across Yorkshire. The charity provides emotional, practical and financial support from diagnosis onwards, helping families navigate the challenges of childhood cancer.
Since beginning its partnership with Candlelighters in April 2025, P.J Staffing has worked closely with the charity to raise both funds and awareness, helping ensure more families across Yorkshire can access the emotional, practical and financial support they need during some of the most challenging times of their lives.
Thanks to the continued success of the Pink it up weekender campaign with many incredible landmarks, businesses and venues in Leeds and York lighting up pink and raising funds for the cause, Paul McCallum will be bringing it back for a third year in 2027, with a planned date of Thursday the 3rd to Sunday the 6th June.
For more information about P.J Staffing’s fundraising efforts, Candlelighters, and a full list of participating businesses and landmarks, visit www.pjstaffing.co.uk and www.candlelighters.org.uk.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About P.J Staffing
P.J Staffing is a Yorkshire-based recruitment business and proud Guardian Supporter of Candlelighters. Since April 2025, the company has partnered with the charity to raise funds and awareness through a range of community-led initiatives and events.
About Candlelighters
Candlelighters supports children and young people with cancer, and their families, across Yorkshire. The charity provides emotional, practical and financial support from diagnosis onwards, helping families navigate the challenges of childhood cancer.