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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Ne-Yo and Akon announce huge joint arena show at Leeds’ First Direct Arena
Two R&B greats are heading out on a joint headline tour for the very first time, as Ne-Yo and Akon announced the Nights Like This global tour.
Both artists are Grammy Award winners, and each has a formidable back catalogue of chart-topping hits.
For Ne-Yo, that includes songs like Miss Independent, So Sick, and Closer; while for Akon, he's responsible for huge tracks like Smack That, Lonelty, and Right Now (Na Na Na).
Between them, they've shaped and defined radio, nightlife, and pop culture for decades.
This newly-announced tour will see the pair performing on the same stage - for Leeds, that's the First Direct Bank Arena.
They'll perform in a unique back-and-forth set throughout the show, visiting venues right across the UK and Europe, as well as heading across to the USA and Canada.
The nostalgic gigs will feature everything from slow jams to club anthems, with a party atmosphere throughout.
Ne-Yo and Akon will perform at the First Direct Bank Arena on Thursday 30 April 2026, with tickets on sale this Friday 30 January at 10am.
There will be an artist pre-sale on Wednesday 28 January at 10am.
Nights Like This EU/UK 2026 tour dates
Fri 24 Apr – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
Mon 27 Apr – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena Newcastle
Tue 28 Apr – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Thu 30 Apr – Leeds, UK – First Direct Bank Arena
Fri 1 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Mon 4 May – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Birmingham
A shop that sells giant NYC-style pizza slices for under £5 is opening in Leeds City Centre
Clementine Hall
After making a huge name for themselves in the market, Pollini's Pizza Slice is opening up a brand-new site.
Okay, it's safe to say we're spoilt for choice for brilliant pizza spots in Leeds but there's not many places where you can grab a slice on-the-go.
And that's exactly what Pollini's Pizza Slice are bringing to the city.
Huge, giant, 24-inch slices of New York-style pizza cooked fresh and served to you within seconds.
Whether you're after a simple margarita, a fiery pepperoni or you like to be that little bit controversial with ham and pineapple - there's a flavour for everyone to enjoy.
They opened inside Kirkgate Market back in 2022, and ever since then they've been inundated with hungry punters looking to grab a slice on their lunch break.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And now they're venturing out of the market and opening a new shop in the old Poco Sicilian Street Food site on Lands Lane.
Announcing the exciting news to their social media, Pollini's Pizza Slice said: "We have some EXCITING NEWS!
"With the new year, we’re opening a brand new pizza shop to satisfy all our amazing customers—there are so many of you! Still here every day at Kirkgate Market, serving up massive fresh slices and big smiles to keep you happy!
"But very soon… we’re opening our brand new home at 24A Lands Lane, right in the heart of Leeds city centre.Here’s your first look inside… Can’t wait to welcome you there as well!"
At their new site you'll be able to get your classic slices as well as whole pies, the perfect Friday office pick-me-up if you ask us.
We don't know the exact opening date yet, but we'll be sure to let you know when we do.
Georgina Pellant -
24th August 2021 
