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 final go-ahead is expected to be given for work to start on a major new £15million sports hub in Holbeck.
Senior councillors are expected to give the approval next Wednesday 11 March at an executive board meeting.
An agreement will be made on a contractor to complete the work which will bring state-of-the-art sports pitches and a community space to the city.
Holbeck Sports Hub will provide three full-size artificial grass football pitches, two multi-use games areas and a building with changing rooms and a café.
Image: Supplied
Work is expected to begin in August 2026 and is set to be built at the site of the former Matthew Murray High School.
The plan is to also provide a home to a new GP surgery as well as a children’s play area and walking and running routes through the green space which sits off Brown Lane East and Ingram Road.
Image: Supplied
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “We look forward to the work starting on the Holbeck Sports Hub, which will be a significant asset to the local community and residents in south Leeds.
“It will provide affordable and accessible quality sports pitches, providing more opportunities for physical activity and play and spaces to meet up and connect.
“We are also working towards an agreement with a GP practice so that the area can benefit from new high-quality healthcare provision to meet the needs of the community.”
The programme is joint funded by the Football Foundation and Leeds City Council capital funding.
New grassroots music space aiming to make DJing and music more accessible opening in Headingley this month
Clementine Hall
A new grassroots music space is opening in Headingley with a mission to make DJing, vinyl and music culture more accessible.
Meanhood Studios, founded by long-time LS6 residents Jim and Katie Young, will combine a professional DJ rehearsal studio, record shop, performance space and tuition hub all under one roof.
Their aim is simple, "to level the playing field in a scene that has often felt exclusive and gatekept.”
Meanhood started as a guerrilla pop-up record shop in lockdown when Jim started selling records from his personal collection.
Built solely on quality and word-of-mouth reputation, the venture quickly grew into a respected local record spot known for its carefully curated vinyl selection.
Images: Supplied
Jim’s roots trace back to Manchester’s late-90s free party scene, he began DJing at 17 and from Hyde Park house parties to residencies at legendary clubs, he went on to host nights featuring artists who would later become major names in UK dance music.
Katie grew up in rural Cumbria, discovering music through pirate radio, library tapes and out-of-town raves. After moving to Leeds for university, she built a 20-year corporate career while supporting events, fly-posting for club nights and working behind the scenes.
“DJing is so much more than pushing buttons,” says Jim. “You’ve got to love it when no one’s watching. We want to share that knowledge and remove some of the barriers we experienced.”
Meanhood Studios will open on Friday 13 March and will offer access to equipment, rehearsal space, vinyl records and tuition for aspiring DJs and music lovers.
It's more important now than ever to support grassroots music venues, and we can't wait to check out this new space.
Danny Jones -
11th August 2025 
