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
A new Turkish-inspired street food spot serving homemade shawarma is coming to Leeds city centre
Authentic Turkish street food is coming to Kirkgate.
Leeds city centre is gearing up to welcome yet another new food spot, and this one is all about homemade lahmacun, shawarma wraps and plenty of signature tahini sauce.
Tahin will open its doors at 10 Kirkgate, next to The Cat Cafe, and with signs already up we don't think it'll be long until they welcome their first customers.
The restaurant is listed as a Turkish restaurant that specialise in their homemade tahini sauce, hence the name.
According to the restaurant's Instagram profile which has been going for a few years, Tahin also specialises in home-made lahmacun wraps alongside shawarma wraps.
For anyone unfamiliar with lahmacun, the Turkish staple is often described as a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a richly seasoned mixture of minced meat, herbs and vegetables.
Wrapped up with fresh salad and sauces, it makes for a satisfying and flavourful lunch to enjoy on-the-go.
Their Instagram suggests that Tahin once existed before back in 2022, so although this may not be a completely new venture, we're nevertheless very glad to see them back.
Its location puts it right in the middle of one of Leeds' busiest areas, making it the perfect mid-shopping pit stop for those wandering around Briggate or stopping for a bite to eat before heading out on the town.
The new opening comes at a time when Leeds' food scene is continuing to expand, with a string of independent restaurants and street-food concepts opening across the city centre throughout 2026.
This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around
Clementine Hall
A much-loved neighbourhood Leeds restaurant has been given another major accolade.
There’s no shortage of brilliant places to eat in Leeds, but one Horsforth bistro has just been given a pretty huge seal of approval - and it might be worth planning your next staycation around.
The brilliant Bavette has been named one of the best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around by Condé Nast Traveller, appearing alongside a handpicked list of restaurants from across the country.
The list celebrates neighbourhood restaurants that are worth travelling for, with the magazine highlighting the growing appeal of venturing outside of busy city centres in search of smaller, more intimate places to eat.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And Leeds has bagged itself a spot thanks to Bavette, and we can't say we're surprised.
The French-inspired neighbourhood bistro is run by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin.
Since opening in 2024, Bavette has quickly become one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, attracting diners far beyond its Horsforth home and scooping up accolades such as the 2024 Good Food Guide's Best UK Local Restaurant, a 2025 and 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a place in the 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100.
Condé Nast Traveller hails Bavette as "a true neighbourhood gem", saying: "The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients.”
They finish by saying: "Reservations are hard to come by - but so worth it once you get your foot in the door."
We really couldn't agree more.
And while a trip to Horsforth might not technically count as a staycation for us Leeds locals, Bavette is certainly one restaurant worth crossing the city for.
Sophie Smith -
21st March 2024 
