A young ballerina from one of the toughest housing estates in Leeds is about to have all her dancing dreams come true, thanks to the kindness of strangers who've pooled together to raise over £100,000 for her to go to school.
Thirteen year old Constance Bailey made headlines earlier this week after her mum, Laura, launched a crowd fundraiser on the website Go Fund Me pleading for help to cover the costs of her daughter's ballet school fees.
Constance had been accepted into The Hammond School in Chester, which is one of the country's top four ballet schools, but as her mum wrote on the crowdfunding page: "I am a single Mum in a council flat, I work full time in a low paid NHS job, I do not get maintenance from my ex husband, this is simply impossible for me to afford."
Explaining that school fees for the year totalled more than £30,000, she turned to the generosity of strangers for help, explaining that there are "no bursaries on offer and both Leeds council and my local Cllr Paul Drinkwater have told me there is no money to pay."
"The Wayne Sleep Foundation scheme for funding talented dancers to go to ballet scheme no longer exists," she added.
Constance auditioning for a place at the Northern Ballet summer school / Image: Academy of Northern Ballet
"I know it is a long shot, I know that people are very broke at the moment [...] But this is a real chance to change my child's life."
The story was covered by The Guardian on Monday, and following the paper's highlighting of the appeal thousands of readers flooded in to help cover the cost of Constance's education and board at the school - smashing the original £90,000 target out of the water.
At the time of writing, the amount raised on the page now stands at £105,169.
Sharing her immense thanks with all of those who donated, mum Laura said: “I am dumbstruck but so incredibly moved by the messages. I feel so very humbled."
“Constance hasn’t stopped smiling and grinning. She keeps saying: ‘I keep thinking I’m going to wake up and it was all a dream.’ Our emotions are overflowing. This really is beyond our wildest belief. People who have donated have changed Constance’s life forever.”
"You the great British public are incredible. We have reached our goal (plus expense of uniforms, insurance, travel and equipment etc).
"We have been on a roller coaster of emotions today and have been genuinely taken aback by the love, kindness and support people have expressed."
The funds will be used to fund three years board at the school, plus covering her yearly medical insurance and the cost of school unfiroms.
Anything leftover will be put into a new fund that mum Laura plans to start in Leeds to help other disadvantaged children go to dance school in the future.
Feature image - HANDOUT.
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A huge football fan zone with space for up to 1,000 fans has opened in Leeds
Trinity Leeds is transforming Trinity Kitchen into the ultimate space to watch all the World Cup 2026 action together.
Looking for somewhere to cheer on England in the 2026 World Cup? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
Foodie hotspot Trinity Kitchen has been completely transformed into the ultimate fan zone with space for up to 1,000 cheering fans.
And they’ve made sure that nobody misses out on the action.
There are three super-sized 5x3m screens dotted around the space, so wherever you go you won’t miss out on a goal.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There’s also a brand-new bar courtesy of local favourites Northern Monk named the ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’.
The tap will feature two, seven-metre bars with a whopping 20 beer taps to keep you refreshed and hydrated during the tournament, because cheering the lads on really can be thirsty work.
If you don’t fancy a beer there’s also cocktails, wine and soft drinks on offer as well - so nobody has to miss out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Feeling peckish? Of course there’s 11 street food vendors serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.
Choose from Caribbean jerk chicken from Jerk Junction, Indian street food from Rolawala and loads more.
Entry is completely free but if you’re after a reserved seat on a table, tickets cost just £10.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.
“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.
“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.
“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."
It’s all kicking off on Wednesday 17 June for England v Croatia. So rally your mates together, get your England shirts on and grab your tickets here.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
News
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Georgina Pellant -
24th August 2021 
