York is going pink this weekend – as part of Pink It Up Week for Yorkshire charity Candlelighters.
Throughout the first week of June, communities are coming together to raise awareness, have fun and make a real difference.
Pink It Up Weekender was created and launched by Paul McCallum, founder of employment agency P.J Staffing, in partnership with Candlelighters – a Yorkshire-based charity that supports children and teenagers with cancer and their families with emotional, practical, and financial support.
The charity supports families from York through to Hull, Whitby, Harrogate, and Leeds, providing invaluable support to families across Yorkshire.
P.J Staffing started a 3-year partnership with Candlelighters in April 2025 as a Guardian supporter, raising over £12K in their first year, with £7K alone raised during the ‘Pink it Up weekender’ in Leeds in June 2025.
The annual campaign encourages businesses, landmarks and communities across Yorkshire to ‘turn pink’ and raise both awareness and vital funds for children facing cancer.
Now for 2026 P.J Staffing are helping launch ‘Pink It Up’ in York – with some of York’s most recognisable landmarks lighting up pink as part of the campaign. Check out our map of all participating landmarks and businesses in York.
The city’s Bar Walls, Clifford’s Tower, Millennium Bridge, Bootham Bar and Micklegate Bar are all set to glow pink during the ‘Big Pink Lights Switch On’ on Saturday 6 June, helping spread awareness across the city while raising funds for Candlelighters.
York businesses including Impossible York, Ate O’Clock, Corner Grill House, The Hole In Wand, York Designer Outlet, and Counter Interiors are also joining the campaign, alongside more venues further afield across Leeds.
Venues will be taking part in the campaign in a variety of ways – whether that’s turning Pink, raising money through provided charity buckets, raffle draws, Pink-themed cocktails, and more.
YorkMix are getting involved with the fundraising too! Candlelighters are one of the chosen charities for this year’s YorkMix Hero Awards, with fundraising taking place for both Candlelighters and Family Fund during the awards evening on Friday 5 June.
And we’re inviting you to help us raise even more funds through a special artwork auction for a beautiful piece of artwork titled ‘Colour Me Pretty’. If you would like to place a bid for Colour Me Pretty, please email [email protected]. There will also be the opportunity to make a bid in person at the YorkMix Hero Awards.
P.J Staffing have also launched an online fundraiser for Candlelighters, and donations can be made here or donate directly through the QR code below.
