A FAMILY fun day with a difference took place at a North Yorkshire aero club.

Children’s cancer charity, Candlelighters, held its annual Family Fun Day at Sherburn-in-Elmet Airfield in North Yorkshire for children diagnosed with cancer and their families.

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The Yorkshire-based charity has been supporting families and children diagnosed with cancer for the past 50 years, offering emotional and practical support through its Family Support Centre. The charity also helps fund vital research into children’s cancer and its impact.

The Family Fun Day took place at Sherburn Aero Club at the end of July and included a range of fun activities - including flying in light aircraft, seeing the inside of a fire engine, and being driven around the airfield in fast cars.

There was also a disco, face-painting and a selection of prizes to be won in a raffle on the day.

In collaboration with the Candlelighters volunteers, the Family Fun Day was also run by members of the Sherburn Aero Club – who have been involved in the organisation of the event for more than 15 years.

The club provides pilot training, flying experiences and a flying club for its members and strives to provide a range of activities that ensures all children and their families are able to participate.

Lori Reed, a community support worker for Candlelighters, said: “The Family Fun Day is a great opportunity for families to be able to come together for a relaxed day where the pressure is off for a short while.

“Being able to watch families make memories and spend quality time together at an event where they feel comfortable and supported is what it is all about.

“It was clear to see how much the day meant to them and we’re grateful to the volunteers who ensured everything ran smoothly — we couldn’t have done it without them.”

Parents who attended the day said: “It was a fantastic day filled with love and laughter. Nothing compares to seeing so many oncology families coming together, sharing smiles and creating beautiful memories.”

Anyone wishing to find out more about how they can support children diagnosed with cancer and their families in the Yorkshire region can visit the Candlelighters website: https://www.candlelighters.org.uk