Remembering David Blunt

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our trustee, colleague and friend David Blunt, who passed away in May. His family were with him in his final moments.

This is a great loss to Yorkshire Cancer Community, and to the many other organisations and people whose lives David touched through his quiet wisdom, support and commitment to others.

David brought not only experience and insight to the board, but also kindness, balance and integrity. He cared deeply about improving the lives of people affected by cancer and remained committed to that purpose even during his own difficult health challenges.

I know many of us will be reflecting on the contribution David made not only to Yorkshire Cancer Community, but also to many people and organisations across our wider community including the West Yorkshire & Harrogate Cancer Alliance, Calderdale & Huddersfield Foundation Trust and researchers at Cambridge University to name a few.

David brought warmth, wisdom and quiet strength to the work of the charity, and he remained deeply supportive of our shared mission to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

While we mourn his loss, I think one of the greatest ways we can honour David’s memory is by continuing the work that mattered so much to him, standing alongside people affected by cancer, amplifying lived experience, and continuing to advocate for better support, services and outcomes for our communities.

Our thoughts are with David’s family and loved ones at this very difficult time.

Our Rhythm & Ribbons fundraiser on  Sunday 30 November at the Leeds Irish Centre was a resounding success!

Our Cancer Champion Linda, who is living with lymphoma met Stewart at his YCC information stall in Leeds Market and they got chatting.  Linda decided she wanted to help us in our hour of need, by bringing together this fundraiser to bring in much needed funding.  There was fantastic live music from Jeni Jaye, Hollie Rose, Those 2, Paul Mac and The Singing Wardens of Lower Grange Choir.  DJ Tommy K helped keep the party vibe going, and there was a raffle, children’s raffle, tombola, games including play your cards right and name the gingerbread person, delicious cakes and beautiful crafts, and lots and lots of fun!

We managed to raise £5,313 on the day, and were overwhelmed by the support we received.  We even made an appearance on ITV Calendar!

Special thanks go to: –

• Councillors Asghar Khan, Luke Farley and Nkele Manaka from Leeds City Council for funding the event
• The Irish Centre for providing the venue absolutely free, and for all their help with promoting the event and decorating the room
• All of the raffle prize donors – check out the list, there’s so many people to thank!
• All of the people who donated tombola prizes, created wonderful crafts and cakes to sell, and helped make the whole event such a success
• Addleshaw Goddard for their donation to our fundraising through Liz Ward
• Jack Houldworth and Jamie Barawitzka from Leeds Beckett University who filmed and interviewed on the day
• Everyone who bought tickets and came along to support the event

And of course, the hugest thanks of all goes to Linda, who put her absolute heart and soul into organising this event.  She really is an amazing lady and a true inspiration because despite her own health issues she has put so much into helping others.

Thanks so much, Linda – you’re a star!

Councillors from Leeds City Council with staff and volunteers from YCC

We are delighted to share the news that we have been awarded runner up for the PEN Awards 2025 category Partnership Working to Improve the Experience, and we couldn’t feel prouder!

The Picker Experience Network Awards are the first and only awards programme to recognise best practice in patient experience across all facets of health and social care in the UK and beyond.

We have been awarded runner up for the category Partnership Working to Improve the Experience for our collaboration with the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance on the Cancer SMART project.

The awards ceremony took place on 2 October 2025 at the spectaclar Aston Webb Great Hall at Birmingham University, and we’re incredibly proud to have received this prestigious award.  A huge well done to everyone who took part.  It was truly an inspirational event and we were so thrilled to have been a part of it.  Winning a prize was the icing on the cake!