Leeds Hospitals Charity

25/07/2025

On behalf of everyone at Leeds Hospitals Charity, we want to wish the ROW4MND team the very best of luck as they set off on the first leg of this extraordinary challenge!

Taking on four world-class rowing feats over four years is no small task; it’s one of the most ambitious endurance campaigns we’ve seen in support of the fight against Motor Neurone Disease!

As our Director of Fundraising, Paul Watkins, said:
“The Row4MND team are not just rowing, they’re spearheading one of the most ambitious endurance campaigns ever attempted… We’re so grateful to Mike and his team for continuing to support the Rob Burrow Centre for MND through this extraordinary fundraising effort.”

Every mile rowed and every pound raised brings us closer to better research, better care, and a better future for people living with MND. We’re proud to stand with you 💜

24/07/2025

Today’s gig helping Jacqui (Jacqui's Million) celebrate reaching the incredible £500,000 mark of her fabulous fundraising journey.
Such an inspirational lady whose fundraising has such a massive impact on cancer patients, making their footsteps through treatment and beyond a little easier.
Leeds Hospitals Charity

24/07/2025

We were so proud to celebrate with Jacqui Drake reaching the incredible milestone of £500,000 raised through her Jacqui’s Million appeal in support of cancer care in Leeds. 💜

Despite living with terminal cancer and undergoing major treatment, including the removal of her right lung, Jacqui has remained determined to make a difference; fundraising tirelessly and spreading hope.

“It’s not only the fundraising, but spreading positivity and giving hope to others in difficult times,” she says.

From hospital stalls and events to her own podcast, Jacqui’s passion has already changed countless lives… and she’s not stopping until she hits that million!

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

23/07/2025

The fifth annual Norman Hunter Golf Day has raised over an incredible £32,000 for life-saving leukaemia research in Leeds.

Held in memory of Leeds United legend Norman Hunter, the event supports groundbreaking research into Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia at Leeds Teaching Hospitals and the University of Leeds.

"We never imagined we’d be here five years later, with over £170,000 raised,” said Norman’s wife, Sue. “I know he’d be beaming with pride.”

This year’s total will help fund major clinical trials and research to improve treatment for patients across the UK - and bring us closer to a cure.

We’re so proud to work with the Hunter family as they continue Norman’s legacy 💜⛳

22/07/2025

“We could see the struggle. She just wasn’t herself anymore.”

At just six weeks old, Teighan was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia - a rare and life-threatening liver disease. She underwent emergency surgery at
Leeds Children's Hospital, and for several years, her condition was stable. But by 2023, her health had rapidly declined. She became weak, jaundiced and underweight, and was placed on the transplant list...

After two false alarms, Teighan finally received her life-saving liver transplant in February 2024. Her journey hasn’t been easy – from serious infections to long hospital stays, but she’s shown incredible strength.

“She’s been so strong. Even when she struggles, she copes through it all. We are unbelievably proud of her.”

Now, Teighan is doing amazingly well. She’s back at school, raising money for charity, and preparing for her first British Transplant Games as part of the Leeds Children’s Transplant Team!

Her donor’s family, now in regular contact with Teighan’s parents, gave her the second chance she needed.

“There are not enough words. Their selfless decision gave our daughter a future.”

We’re proud to support children like Teighan at the Transplant Games and to work alongside the dedicated transplant teams at Leeds Children’s Hospital who make these stories possible. 💜

21/07/2025

We loved being part of Leeds Pride yesterday - full of colour, joy and community 🌈
Grateful to stand alongside our LGBTQ+ staff, patients and allies 💜

20/07/2025

🏳️‍🌈 This Leeds Pride, we’re proud to support more inclusive NHS care for LGBTQ+ patients and staff.

With funding from Leeds Hospitals Charity, the library at Leeds Teaching Hospitals now includes a dedicated LGBTQ+ collection – from clinical texts on inclusive practice to memoirs and fiction that reflect and celebrate LGBTQ+ lives.

Created with input from the Trust’s LGBTQ+ Network, the collection is already helping staff better understand the barriers LGBTQ+ people face, and how to provide more compassionate, informed care.

Having a visible, permanent space for these books sends a clear message: everyone belongs 💜🌈

Plans are already in motion to embed the books into wider initiatives like book clubs, resource drop-boxes, and the popular Blind Date with a Book scheme - making sure these resources are seen, shared, and used across the Trust.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

19/07/2025

We’re very sad to share that Terry Roberts, one of our legendary former volunteers and fundraisers, has sadly died at the age of 89.

Terry was part of the fabric of the LGI for an incredible 50 years. Until retiring in 2020, he was a regular sight in Jubilee Wing - often dressed as a cowboy - chatting to visitors, raising smiles, and raising over £100,000 for the charity through collections and stalls.

His photo still hangs at the entrance by the paper shop, and many who met him still remember his warmth and humour, even years later.

Terry wasn’t just a volunteer; he was a friend to so many.

We’re grateful for everything he gave to the hospital community, and we send our love to his family and everyone who knew him.

Thank you Terry 💜

18/07/2025

Changing How We Diagnose MND - Hope in Research

Every week, families face the fear and uncertainty of a possible Motor Neurone Disease (MND) diagnosis. But two Leeds researchers are working on ways to make that journey faster, more accurate, and less invasive.

👨‍⚕️ Dr Stuart Currie, Consultant Neuroradiologist, is trialling Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting - a next-generation MRI that shows what the brain is made of, not just what it looks like. It could detect signs of MND that are currently invisible, helping spot damage earlier than ever before.

📱 Dr Stefan Williams, Consultant Neurologist, is using AI and smartphone video to detect the tiny muscle twitches that are early signs of MND. It could replace uncomfortable needle tests with something quicker, kinder, and more accessible.

Both projects are powered by funding from Leeds Hospitals Charity and guided by the belief that patients deserve answers sooner.

🧪 Studies are expected to begin in early 2026, shortly after the Rob Burrow Centre for MND opens in Leeds next autumn.

This is just the beginning. With continued support, Leeds is on track to lead a global step forward in MND diagnosis 💜
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

16/07/2025

“I want to help boys in the future to walk longer.”

At just 11 years old, Austin already understands the impact of research. He takes part in clinical trials not for himself, but to give other children a better chance.

Austin was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at just two years old. DMD is a rare, progressive condition that causes muscle weakness and eventually leads to loss of mobility and life-limiting complications. There is currently no cure.

For the last three years, Austin has been taking part in a clinical trial at Leeds Children's Hospital. His family travel over eight hours every week so he can receive infusions. The trial aims to slow down the progression of the disease and help children like Austin stay mobile for longer.

To support more families like Austin’s, Duchenne UK and Leeds Hospitals Charity have donated over £300,000 to the neuromuscular service at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

The funding means the service can continue leading on national and early-phase trials, giving more children like Austin the chance to take part in research.

Austin’s mum Maxine says,

“From the moment he was diagnosed, our world changed. But through the darkness, clinical trials gave us hope. The support from the team in Leeds has been incredible. They’ve become like family.”

This funding means more trials, more families supported, and more progress in the search for better treatments.

Find out more on our website at https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/news/charities-donate-over-300k-to-fund-cutting-edge-research-at-leeds-childrens-neuromuscular-service

16/07/2025

A huge congratulations to our wonderful patron Lindsey Burrow who has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University.🤩

The award recognises Lindsey’s inspiring journey supporting her late husband Rob Burrow CBE through his heroic battle with MND, as well as Lindsey's fundraising and campaigning efforts for the MND community.💜

This is incredibly well deserved and we're so grateful to Lindsey for all she has done to support the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Lindsey Burrow has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Leeds Beckett University for her Public and Voluntary Service.

The award recognises Lindsey’s inspiring journey supporting her late husband Rob Burrow CBE through his heroic battle with MND ❤

12/07/2025

Brothers in the Transplant games 🏃‍♂️❤️‍🩹

When Harry was born, his parents thought they had two healthy boys. But at 9 months old, Harry began to decline in alarming ways, leading to a hospital stay where doctors discovered he was in liver failure due to a genetic condition. The news became even more challenging when it was found that his brother Max had the same condition and was also showing early signs of liver disease.

Thanks to the incredible team at Leeds Children's Hospital and a generous organ donor, Harry received a new liver at 14 months old and is now a thriving 9-year-old. Max's decline was slower, but last year he too received the gift of a new liver and is now in high school, attending more regularly than ever before!

We are thrilled to share that both brothers are excited to compete together at the Transplant Games for the first time. Max, who has cheered Harry on from the sidelines many times, is eager to join in and earn his own medals. 🏅💜