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Sir Captain Tom Moore statue moves into permanent home in Chapel Allerton
The statue was donated to Leeds Hospitals Charity by sculptor Andrian Melka, who raised over £32,000 through online crowdfunding to bring this project to life.
After spending a few months on a detour to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the Captain Tom Moore statue has finally made its way to its permanent home in Leeds.
Located outside the entrance of the Chapel Allerton hospital, the bronze status has been months in the making.
The statue was donated to Leeds Hospitals Charity by sculptor Andrian Melka, who raised over £32,000 through online crowdfunding to bring this project to life.
Over 250 donations paid for the work to be completed and by late 2021, the statue was ready to show the public and now remains a symbol of hope for patients and staff at the hospital.
Located at the newly refurbished courtyard garden at Leeds Chapel Allerton Hospital, the statue is likely to be seen by patients who may have to stay in hospital for many months undergoing lengthy and intensive rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury, long-term neurological conditions or following a stroke.
Artist Andrian says "It’s hoped that the gardens will be a calming space for rest and relaxation and that the statue of the 100-year-old war veteran determinedly walking laps of his garden on his walking frame will inspire patients on their own difficult road to recovery."
Image: Crowdfunder
According to Leeds Hospital Charity, "Thanks to Captain Sir Tom’s fundraising efforts, raising over £38 million for NHS Charities Together, Leeds Hospitals Charity benefitted from £600,000 in funding."
Artists Andrian hopes that the statue will inspire others visiting the hospital and told Leeds Hospital Charity:
“Captain Tom inspired so many people during the pandemic, not only with his incredible fundraising for the NHS but with his positive outlook and desire to be of service to others.
"Even at the age of 99, when most people would be sitting back, he wanted to do what he could to help others and to contribute.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has shared an update this afternoon, after a man died in a horrifying tiger attack at the zoo yesterday.
The wildlife park, which remains closed today, has informed customers of the future of the tiger involved, Altai.
Emergency services rushed to the park near Doncaster at around 1.30pm on Saturday, after reports of a man climbing into the tiger enclosure.
Tragically, the man involved in the tiger attack lost his life.
The zoo has said that its 'thoughts and heartfelt sympathies' remain with the man's family and loved ones.
They also said that its staff team have been left 'deeply affected' by the tiger attack and will be receiving specialist support.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has now shared that Altai, the male tiger in question, is 'safe and well' and will not be euthanised as a result of the incident.
In a statement, they said: "We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday's tragic incident.
"Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life.
"The park will be closed today while the staff team who were deeply affected by events receive specialist support.
"Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger. We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident."
Leeds City Council confirms plans to repair historic Lower Kirkgate with work set to begin this month
Clementine Hall
Leeds City Council has confirmed that work to stabilise buildings on Lower Kirkgate is set to begin later this month, with repairs expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
Back in 2024, Lower Kirkgate in Leeds city centre was closed following the partial collapse of a building, leaving one of the city's oldest streets inaccessible.
Since then, the street has remained closed while plans were developed to address the structural issues affecting the buildings.
Now, almost two years after the initial incident, the council has confirmed that a contractor has been appointed to carry out the work.
The buildings are privately owned, but Leeds City Council says it will step in to carry out the stabilisation work to prevent further deterioration and protect the historic properties.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We are pleased that, following months of careful planning and preparation, we are now in a position to begin stabilising these privately owned buildings.
“A contract has been awarded for the work, which is scheduled to get under way later this month and is expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
“It should be stressed that the situation on Lower Kirkgate is not of the council's making, with the owners of the buildings allowing their condition to deteriorate over many years and then failing to take the necessary steps to address the resultant structural issues.
“By stepping in and carrying out this work itself, the council will be able to arrest the deterioration of important heritage assets on one of Leeds’s oldest streets. As always, we thank the local community for their continued patience and support.”
Further details about the work, including when the street may be able to reopen, have not yet been confirmed.
Sophie Smith -
25th February 2022 
