YORKSHIRE children's cancer charity Candlelighters is celebrating following the attendance of two of its leaders at a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Emily Wragg, chief executive officer, and Keith Hardcastle, chair of trustees, were invited in recognition of the work of the charity and were amongst specially selected guests from across the UK.

Emily, from Cleckheaton, said: “We were thrilled to have been nominated as guests at Buckingham Palace.

“This garden party was one of just two held each year. King Charles and members of the Royal Family were in attendance.

“Our invitation recognised the work done at Candlelighters, by a wide range of people working hard to support children and their families through a childhood cancer diagnosis.

“We’re very lucky to have a large number of committed volunteers and fundraisers as well as members of staff, and each of them has an important role to play.”

Keith added: “We were at Buckingham Palace to represent the support we offer to hundreds of children and their families across Yorkshire who are impacted by childhood cancer. It also reflected our wider work, including our investment into research which supports children with cancer across the UK and internationally.”

Whilst Emily and Keith were at Buckingham Palace, the rest of the Candlelighters team also celebrated the day, hosting parties at its Family Support Centre at Leeds Children's Hospital.