Leeds Hospitals Charity

02/05/2026

"What we’re seeing now is beyond anything we imagined and being able to see the impact we’re having on people’s lives is really fulfilling."

Meet Gary, Centre Manager at the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, who shares how the space is already transforming experiences for patients and families.

Patients are “responding to the centre in a completely different way from the old hospital environment.”

Instead of sitting in a traditional waiting room, people spend time in the free‑flowing heart of the building, looking at artwork, reading, or heading out into the gardens when the weather allows.

Being able to see multiple specialists in one place is also making a huge difference. “People don’t have to travel around different hospitals and sites… This really helps to reduce stress and fatigue.” As Gary explains, “patients are saying the building itself is part of the therapy.”

Every day, people walk through these doors carrying fear, hope and courage. And as Gary puts it, “If we can make that journey even a little easier by offering comfort, expertise, or simply a place that feels safe, then we’re doing what this centre was built for.”

Read Gary's blog on our website: https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/news/rob-burrow-centre-for-mnd-blog-meet-the-centre-manager

01/05/2026

The Leeds Rhinos MND Awareness shirt for 2026 is now available to buy! 💙

£10 of every shirt sale will go to our ongoing support of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease.

Esther Wakeman our CEO says "The continued support from everyone at Leeds Rhinos is just incredible. Thanks to thousands of generous donations, the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease is now a reality. We're continuing to support the team with equipment, specialist staff and new research projects, and every pound donated will keep supporting patients and NHS staff here in Leeds."

Read more: https://www.therhinos.co.uk/article/23293/rhinos-launch-2026-mnd-awareness-shirt

❤️Hope 🧡Strength 💙Resilience

The blue cornflower, a symbol for the MND community, sits at the heart of our 2026 MND Awareness shirt — with its fragile appearance but hardy nature.
Join us in supporting the work of the Leeds Hospitals Charity Rob Burrow Centre for MND.
Let’s stand together for those affected by MND.

More https://www.therhinos.co.uk/article/23293/rhinos-launch-2026-mnd-awareness-shirt

01/05/2026

Wishing the ROW4MND team the very best as they take on their final stretch 🚣

After thousands of miles at sea, they’re now facing some of the world’s most dangerous waters off the Scottish coastline; all to help raise £57m for MND charities over four years.

All funds will raise vital funds for Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name’s Doddie Foundation and Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Let’s get behind them on dry land by sharing and donating as much as possible while they’re on the water over the next week.

Visit www.row4mnd.com to track them and donate.

30/04/2026

Meet Martin Mansell, the Yorkshire CEO hoping to break a world record with his cycling challenge!

In June, Martin will set out on a solo attempt to cycle the full perimeter of England – covering over 2,000 miles – attempting to set a new world record for cycling this route in the fastest time possible.

The aim is to raise £50,000 for Leeds Hospitals Charity to support the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease and Yorkshire Children's Charity.

Martin says “Riding for these incredible charities, and knowing the difference every mile will make to people’s lives, is what will carry me through the toughest moments.”

Read more about the challenge here: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/yorkshire-businessman-and-ultracycling-rider-set-for-biggest-challenge-yet-7804636

29/04/2026

Yesterday, the Adult Transplant Team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals took on a static cycling challenge to raise funds for their participation in the British Transplant Games 2026!

Founded 40 years ago, the British Transplant Games aim to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation, encourage transplant recipients to lead active, healthy lives, and honour the incredible donors and their families.

This year, the games are held in Sheffield, so the team set the challenge to cycle the 108-mile round trip from Leeds to Sheffield.

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, including Morley Glass who donated an amazing £500 to support the team.

You can help the team attend the British Transplant Games by donating to their fundraiser via the link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/btgadults2026

27/04/2026

Because of Play... James hasn’t missed out on childhood milestones.

For nearly all of James’s short life so far, home has been a hospital ward. James relies on a ventilator and specialist care, and this means he currently can’t leave hospital. James’s mum Cayleigh worried that James wouldn’t get to experience the magic moments and milestones of a “real” childhood.

But thanks to the Leeds Children’s Hospital Play Team and his two remarkable specialist play workers, Fi and Liv, James’ story is also filled with joy, laughter, and, most importantly, magic.

“Fi and Liv are there every morning to play, sing, and help him develop. They’re there on the hardest days too: running towards emergency alarms, distracting him during painful procedures, helping him stay calm so the trauma doesn’t sit with him for life. They know exactly what James needs as a baby, and just as importantly, what we need as parents.” says Cayleigh, James’ mum.

Thanks to your donations, the Play Team are available seven days a week across Leeds Children's Hospital.

Learn more about our Play appeal, and help us continue supporting children like James https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/Appeal/leeds-childrens-hospital

24/04/2026

I’m running for my hospitals because...

"I’ve seen first‑hand the amazing work Leeds Hospitals Charity does."

"I’m a student nurse studying at Leeds University and completed my placement on ward C1, a neurological rehabilitation ward, at Chapel Allerton Hospital. After spending time on the ward, I was so inspired by the staff, patients and families that I wanted to run for those who can’t — due to injury or illness."

Meet Grace, the student nurse running her first marathon for Leeds Hospitals Charity to support the staff and patients she’s worked with.

Grace is hoping to raise £1,000 by 10 May and is already over halfway there.

Support Grace by donating to her fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/grace-taylor-190

22/04/2026

There's just one week left to sign up to the March of the Day challenge❗❗

Join sports fans and local communities for a six-day walking challenge raising funds for Leeds Hospitals Charity to support the Rob Burrow Centre for MND and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.

Setting off on Monday 1st June, the journey covers 340 miles and visits 44 football and rugby league grounds, ending at the Rob Burrow Centre for MND on 6th June.

You can register as an open walker alongside sporting legends or come together with colleagues or friends as part of a team for a leg of the journey.

Find out more, and sign up by April 29 here: https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/news/football-and-rugby-unite-for-march-of-the-day-iii-to-fight-motor-neurone-disease

22/04/2026

Have you taken part in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in previous years… what’s one piece of advice you’d give to our fundraisers who are running for the first time on 10 May?

21/04/2026

Ride for Reggie: Leeds-Liverpool in a day!

When Rob Sykes’ five‑year‑old son Reggie suffered a sudden stroke, the incredible neurosurgery team at Leeds Children’s Hospital saved his life.

In October 2025, Rob and colleagues from K&K Brickworks took on an extraordinary challenge to say thank you for the care Reggie received on Ward L52: Cycling the full 127 miles of the Leeds - Liverpool Canal in just one day.

Driven by the difference the ward’s “little extras” make for families, they set out to raise £1,000. Their determination inspired many, and together they raised an astounding £5,745 to support young patients like Reggie.

20/04/2026

Beyond the clinic: how your donations are supporting mothers through creativity and connection with Leeds Maternity E-Midwife

Over the past two years, we’ve provided £7,000 to fund weekly Maternal Journal sessions, led by specialist midwife Nada Abdul‑Majid.

Held every Friday, the two‑hour sessions bring together pregnant women and new mums (with babies up to six months old) to:
- Share experiences of pregnancy and motherhood
- Express themselves through creative journaling
- Access expert midwifery advice in a relaxed, non-clinical setting

Scarlet, mum of three, who attends with her son Barnaby, says:

“Coming to the Maternal Journal sessions is my favourite time of the week. It’s not just about creativity. It’s not just about expressing your creativity; it’s about being with like-minded people who understand and help you feel less alone on this journey.”

Specialist midwife Nada says: “We’re here to create meaningful connections with women, giving them time to focus on themselves, access to peer support, the opportunity to ask questions and get the support they need to improve their mental wellbeing.”

Interested in joining? Speak to your midwife for more information, or email Nada: nada.abdul-majid@nhs.net to register.

17/04/2026

I’m running for my hospitals because...

"My daughter was born at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals, and my wife and I saw first‑hand the vital care the hospital provides.”

"During our visits, I also saw the incredible Leeds Hospitals Charity volunteers supporting patients and visitors, offering comfort when it was needed most. I was genuinely moved by their kindness, which motivated me to take part in this event and raise money for the charity."

Meet Aaron — a Bradford‑born, now Leeds‑based new dad and former rugby player, training for his first ever marathon as part of team Leeds Hospitals Charity!

Aaron has already smashed his £500 target and is hoping to keep the momentum going towards £750.

You can donate to Aaron's fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/aaron-levy-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL