Kevin Sinfield has announced that the first Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon has raised over £4 million for over 300 different charities.
It total, the day saw 12,500 runners running across Leeds to raise money for a range of charities, but with a special focus on the MND community and building the Rob Burrow MND Centre here in Leeds.
A week on from the day, Kevin Sinfield, the inspirational former Leeds Rhinos player that 'just went on a run for a mate' announced the total:
"Oh behalf of Rob, Lindsey would like thank everyone for a huge team effort on Sunday, we made sure that the first Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon was a success and I hope it was a very special day for you, as it was for us.
"Runners, wheelchair users, volunteers, spectators, sponsors, Run For All, Leeds City Council, Leeds Rhinos, and all the different charities, all of you, thank you.
"I'm sure you will all agree the atmosphere was incredible, and that was down to you and all your hard work for our communities, the MND communities, friends, families and to bring everyone together, as a team.
"I am delighted to share with you that the running total raised for 341 for different charities across the UK now sits at over £4 million.
"Friendship was at the heart of this marathon. A run for a mate, with a mate and I hope you are all glowing in the knowledge that we get to help so many people across the UK who need us."
"I hope to see you all next year, it's important that we all keep banging the drum together, rest up, take care, thank you."
📽️ Kevin Sinfield OBE would like to thank everyone who has made this possible pic.twitter.com/bwxGqF6OLW
— Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All (@runforall) May 19, 2023
Rob Burrow announced last week that “the marathon was one of the best days if my life, to be a part of it was amazing [...] I’m so happy to be involved in the first one of my marathons but I don’t think I’ll be in the race for the next one. I have retired.”
The 2024 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is set to take place on Sunday 12 May 2024 starting once again at Headingley Stadium, with over 10,000 participants expected to attend.
A house that looks good enough for James Bond is set to be built on Ilkley Moor.
Is that a formation of angular grey rocks sitting atop of the Yorkshire dales? No, it's a house.
The wildly contemporary structure, which has huge irregular-shaped windows and a natural outdoor pool, is based off the famous Cow and Calf Rocks in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.
It will be built just down the road from them too, on green belt land which is the garden of a home off Heber's Ghyll Drive.
Images: Shaw & Jagger Architects
It is the work of Harrogate-based architects Shaw & Jagger, who said the project was passed through the country house clause which allows things to be built on green belt for buildings of "exceptional quality".
The house itself has been named 'Fomorian', after a supernatural race of giants in Irish mythology. The name takes inspiration from the mythical giant Rombald who is said to have roamed on Ilkley Moor.
Images: Shaw & Jagger Architects
Shaw & Jagger wrote: "The design approach was to propose a scheme that is intrinsically linked to the spirit of its place. Fomorian is of its place, part of the Moors, its geology and its spirit.
"We took cues from local folklore, the surrounding rocks; ancient carvings, standing stones and escarpments that are synonymous with the landscape.
"The building depicts a series of monolithic elements embedded in the earth as the wild, dramatic environment looms around, attempting to overcome them. The building is new, yet part of this ancient landscape.
Images: Shaw & Jagger Architects
"Fomorian is to be built over the next couple of years and will provide family accommodation consisting of 4 bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, sitting room and study.
"It was important to offer the client viable outside space therefore a paved courtyard garden allows external living to be within the heart of the plan. The abstract rock forms allow the design to have exciting internal spaces with large irregular windows designed to maximise views out across the valley."
Leeds railway station reopening delayed AGAIN due to problems with lift
Clementine Hall
The highly anticipated opening of Leeds City Station's new entrance has been further delayed.
The £46.1m Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway has been in the works since 2022, with the original target for completion set for autumn 2025.
That date subsequently slipped to summer 2026, then September, then October, and now...well who knows?
This time, Leeds City Council have confirmed that the problem is to do with the lifts that connect New Station Street and Bishopgate.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
These lifts will allow the ever so turbulent taxi rank to move from the temporary arrangement at the rear of the station to its new home on Bishopgate Street.
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said on the recent setback: "Having opened the pavement along Bishopgate Street and sections of New Station Street, unfortunately we have encountered an issue with one of the lifts, which is delaying essential safety testing from being completed.
"We are working to resolve this as soon as possible so we can open the final parts of the scheme imminently."
When it does finally open, there should be plenty to like. The scheme is designed to make the area around the station more pedestrian-friendly, with improved public space, wider walking routes, better cycling facilities, a new cycle hub and step-free access between Bishopgate Street and New Station Street.
The taxi rank will also move to Bishopgate Street, with a new shelter and kerbside boarding.
So, after years of barriers, diversions, temporary arrangements, engineering works and at least one deeply controversial letter (lest we forget 'Welcome to Leeps') the end is apparently in sight.
We'll keep you updated with any updates and opening date of the new station, but we wouldn't hold your breath if the last couple of months are anything to go by.
Sophie Smith -
22nd May 2023 
