A CHARITY which stepped in to help when a two-year-old York girl suffered a brain tumour will be boosted by a music festival this weekend.

Sienna Shield, of Dringhouses,underwent 14 hours of surgery to remove the tumour last summer, followed by more than six months of intensive chemotherapy treatment and radiotherapy.

He father Andy said the children’s cancer charity Candlelighters made a huge difference to the family through this time.

“Between July and February, we spent around 90 per cent of our time on the ward at Leeds General Infirmary,” he said.

“Not only do Candlelighters fund a playroom staffed with play team members, they make sure that the children have lots to do on the ward with a well-stocked DVD collection and PlayStation for the older ones.”

He said Candlelighters at the Square, established by the charity just five minutes away from LGI, allowed him and his wife Rachael to take a break from the hospital environment for a coffee or smoothie, with a massage therapist on site.

“At first we didn’t think we should be doing these things,” he said.

“But it is very helpful when you’re tired and don’t have much spare time. I usually fell asleep during a massage.”

The Shield Family also had the opportunity to create lasting family memories with a winter wonderland break at Centre Parcs booked through Candlelighters.

“It was a magical experience, a very positive memory and something we would never have thought to do ourselves,” said Mr Shield.

Now members of local business group York Trusted Professionals have come together to raise money for the charity with TrustFest, which will be held at The Red Lion on the A59 at Upper Poppleton from 2pm to 10pm on Saturday.

Candlelighters were chosen to benefit after Ian Dawson, the network group founder, witnessed the vital support offered to Andy, who is a friend.

Organisers are promising a family-friendly experience packed with live music from headline act The Mothers and a number of other popular York bands, children’s entertainment, and there will be a prosecco bar and craft beer for the grown-ups.

*For TrustFest tickets costing from £8 for adults and from £4 for children, go to www.yorktrusted.com/trustfest2017.