Last year saw the maiden edition of The Birmingham 24 Hour Run and almost £1,700 for relative homeless causes in the area, with all contributions considered - an incredible tally for the inaugural event.
It was the first time that the Manc-founded charity run had ever ventured out of the region, proving that the format and not just nationwide, but a global crisis is what that can be supported all over.
Backed by numerous local businesses, fellow non-profit organisations, run clubs, university groups, and plenty more from in and around the community, the annual fundraising relay run attracts thousands - and that's just in Manchester.
The 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness was started by a bunch of uni students as a charitable arm of their running society, Run Wild MCR, and has since gone on to raise more than £50,000 for the 'A Bed Every Night Scheme'.
Overseen by the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity and the Labour MP himself, Andy Burnham, the event that starts at noon one day and finishes at the same time the next, has seen both regional and national news coverage.
You can watch a helpful little explainer, featuring the voice of yours truly, down below:
Taking place from 12pm on Saturday, 1 November until the same time the next day on behalf of St George’s Crypt, The Leeds 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness will be the second of two Yorkshire editions in 2025, with Sheffield also hosting their first.
You can guarantee both us here at The Hoot and our partners over at The Sheff will be putting in some miles for this vital fundraiser.
Volunteers are still looking for a host venue to use as the main hub for their runners in Leeds city centre this year, so anyone interested in teaming up with the event can get in touch with them via their various social media channels.
The same goes for other cities hosting their debut 24-Hour Homeless Runs this year.
Contrary to what the former home secretary Priti Patel told Britain back in 2023, homelessness is NOT a choice - let's help combat it as much as we can as the colder months approach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM2tBHLgwJc
Until then, you can hear more about how the fundraising has already helped so many rough sleepers in the event's home city here.
The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.
The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.
Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.
The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.
Images: Supplied
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.
“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.
The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.
“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”
We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.
Jungle are back and have announced a huge Leeds gig for later this year
Daisy Jackson
Modern funk and soul band Jungle are officially heading back to Leeds.
The Mercury Prize-nominated group will be performing at the First Direct Bank Arena this November, following their blistering summer on the festival circuit last year.
They'll be heading to Leeds on Saturday 21 November 2026.
Jungle was formed back in 2013 by producers and friends Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland.
While they technically worked as a duo for years (until 2023, when touring member Lydia Kitto became an official member of the band), Jungle are known for their huge live performances.
They always fill stages with musicians and vocalists, for incredible funk n soul live shows.
The bands huge hits include Back on 74, Casio, and Busy Earnin’, from four top-10 albums including 2023’s groundbreaking Volcano.
The upcoming Leeds date forms part of the band’s upcoming world tour, which arrives in the UK in November 2026 following a string of international performances across Europe, North America, and beyond.
Fans can expect a setlist jam packed with standout tracks, including fan favourites such as ‘Volcano’ and ‘Back On 74’ and newer material from their upcoming album ‘Sunshine’, released on 14 August that continues to push the band’s signature sound forward.
With over 3.4 billion streams to their name, Jungle’s Leeds show is set to be one of the hottest tickets of 2026 so we wouldn't mess about if we were you.
Tickets for Jungle in Manchester will go on general sale from 10am on Friday 27 March, with pre-sale from 10am on Thursday 26 March.
Danny Jones -
11th August 2025 
