Our Charity Walk for Max Swift

Wilkinson Woodward's annual charity walk for 2025 will be to raise funds for The Candlelighters Trust in memory of Max Swift.

Max, who sadly passed away in March, aged just 9, was the son of Katie, an employee of Wilkinson Woodward for over 22 years, and her husband Phil. He had been diagnosed with cancer at the age of nine months and spent much of his life living in hospital where he underwent multiple brain surgeries and years of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He was also left with a number of disabilities and complex medical needs.

A walk to celebrate Max’s love of the outdoors

Despite the challenges Max faced, he lived life to the full. A much-loved pupil at Highbury School in Brighouse and an active member of the 12th Halifax Sea Scouts Beavers group, he was a big fan of music and enjoyed dancing and singing.

With a passion for adventure, Max, along with his older brother, loved outdoor activities. Together, they took part in everything from climbing and boating to bodyboarding and cycling. Max particularly enjoyed going on family bike rides using the specially adapted bike provided by the Cyclists Fighting Cancer Charity.

The Wilkinson Woodward charity walk seems a fitting way to celebrate the life of someone who loved adventure. It is also our opportunity to fundraise for the Leeds General Infirmary Children’s Oncology Outreach Nurses, via the Candlelighters Charity. The nurses played an important role in supporting Max throughout his life, while also providing the care that enabled him to remain at home with his family in his final days. 

The Candlelighters Trust

Yorkshire’s foremost children’s cancer charity, The Candlelighters Trust, is a non-profit organisation based in Leeds. The charity carries out invaluable work, providing practical, emotional and financial support to children in the county living with cancer and their families. With 150 children diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire every year, the Trust also invests in important research that aims to improve the outcomes and lives of children with the disease.  

The charity walk, which takes place on 25^th September 2025, will see staff members from across the Wilkinson Woodward branches undertake a hike around the Calderdale countryside. Those taking part have the option to walk a 5-mile, 15-mile or, for the more active amongst us, a demanding 30-mile route.

If you would like to support our fundraising efforts in memory of Max and wish to donate to The Candlelighters Trust, please visit our Just Giving page.