The Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards 2024 has officially launched after a star-studded event last night in Leeds City Centre.
The event saw several sporting supporters of the charity, including Rugby league legend Rob Burrow CBE, Leeds Rhinos players Rhyse Martin and Ash Handley, former LUFC star Brian Deane , and women's rugby league player and commentator Danika Priim alongside host of the awards and Yorkshire TV presenter Christine Talbot and some of last year's deserving winners.
The awards itself is set to be held on 18 October 2024 at Leeds New Dock Hall where Christine Talbot and BBC Weatherman Jon Hammond will present an array of exciting awards to children aged 0-18 that have truly been remarkable.
Christine said:“I’ve hosted the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards for several years now, and it is always one of the most special ceremonies of the year. I’m blown away every time by the amazing young winners and their stories. It’s always a spectacular, inspirational, and uplifting event. I can’t wait to be back this year.”
2023 YCOC winners. / Image: Supplied, PGHL
The categories span through sports and fundraising into those that are caring for others and 'beyond brave' or have made a special achievement.
The idea is that each category has two age groups: one 0-12 and then a young adults version aged 13-18.
And with the 2024 event officially launched, nominations are now open to the public.
This year marks the twelfth year of the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards, which "honour and recognise courageous young people across the Yorkshire region and raise funds for the St. James's Place Charitable Foundation".
Funds raised by the YCCA have contributed hugely towards helping children, community groups, and organisations across Yorkshire over the past eleven years. All monies raised at the YCCA awards ceremony are matched pound-for-pound by St. James's Place.
The website notes that entries only have to be nominated once to be considered, and votes are not based on number of nominations.
Categories include:
Sporting Superstar (0-12)
Sporting Superstar (13-18)
Fantastic Fundraiser (0-12)
Fantastic Fundraiser (13-18)
Compassionate Carer (0-12)
Compassionate Carer (13-18)
Beyond Bravery (0-12)
Beyond Bravery (13-18)
Amazing Achievement (0-12)
Amazing Achievement (13-18)
Children's Charity of the Year
You can nominate someone deserving of a Yorkshire Children of Courage Award in 2024 here.
Feature Image - Supplied, PGHL
Leeds
One of Leeds’ most loved sushi restaurants has just opened a second location in the city
Because one Fern Modern Sushi wasn't enough, we've now got two.
And guess what? It's even better than the first.
Fern Modern Sushi located in the unassuming Central Arcade has become a firm foodie favourite after opening just a couple years ago.
Run by the wonderful Chef Fern, who you could say is somewhat of a local celebrity at this point, the restaurant is known for serving delicious sushi with the freshest fish possible and traditional Japanese dishes with modern flair.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Full with hungry punters no matter the time of day, it's no surprise that Chef Fern has just opened Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 on Park Row.
This beautiful new space is serving up all the classic Fern dishes, from stacked donburi bowls and perfectly rolled sushi to miso glazed cod and hearty bowls of ramen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Different for this location, though, is their exclusive cocktail menu - so you can wine and dine to your heart's content.
The interior has also levelled up, complete with a huge open kitchen so you can pull up a chair and eat whilst watching the magic happen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And this isn't all that Chef Fern is up to, after opening Tori Nori on Vicar Lane a few months ago this will be her third restaurant in the city centre, and that is no easy feat.
She's even got another restaurant imminently opening in the Central Arcade which will be focused on traditional katsu dishes, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if she had something else lined up in the pipeline.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 officially opens on 19 November, but is open now for soft launch with limited bookings.
Independent Leeds matcha stand forced to close by council despite 3,000 people signing petition
Clementine Hall
An independent matcha stand in Leeds has been forced to closed due to council concerns.
You may remember back in August when the whole of Leeds rallied to save Sips Matcha over in Headingley.
The front garden matcha spot has become a firm favourite for students and locals alike over the past year, gaining more than 12,000 followers on Instagram.
The self-proclaimed 'tiniest matcha stand in Leeds' is located in the residential area of Little Woodhouse and is run by the lovely Matt and Julia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
However, in August their retroactive planning application was rejected by the council and they were given 28 days to remove the shed.
In a published document via Leeds City Council website, multiple reasons were listed for the decision to refuse planning permission for the bright-green matcha shed.
The electronic letter signed by Martin Elliot, Chief Planning Officer, listed spoiling the property's character, increased footfall, and a failure to comply with numerous development and design policies.
In response, Matt and Julia launched a petition urging people to save Sips Matcha, labelling the painted wooden shed-turned-coffee shop as a 'Community Stand'.
Despite over 3,000 signatures, Sips Matcha have announced on their social media today that the shed must be removed by the end of November.
The statement reads: "our retrospective planning was declined, we appealed, and the appeal was dismissed. then the dreaded email arrived: the shed has to come down by the end of november.
"we don’t have all the answers yet, but we’re working out what happens next. over 3,000 of you signed the petition and it meant the world. thank you for every sip, share and signature. come say hi while we’re still here."
We're absolutely gutted for them, so make sure you pop by for a matcha before the end of November to give them a proper farewell.
Sophie Smith -
21st March 2024 
