The mum of a young Leeds United fan who fell from a tree during the promotion parade has issued an update on his injuries.
Stacey Barker has posted a statement on social media after her son Edward sadly fell from a tree in Millennium Square during the Leeds United promotion parade this Monday 5 May.
Stacey wrote: "Some of you may already know that my oldest son was injured in the Leeds United victory parade on Bank Holiday Monday. For those that don’t, this is to clear some things up.
"I have tried to keep this within the family, as this is obviously extremely distressing for all of us, and I’ve tried to control who knows what out of respect for my son and also my other 3 children. However, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that this isn’t going to be something we can keep quiet for long at all and I don’t want any further untruths circulated regarding my son.
"At some point during the winners parade yesterday, for reasons only Edward knows of, he decided to climb a tree lining the procession in Leeds city centre. As far as I am aware, he had consumed alcohol but I am confident he wasn’t paralytic as some posts are suggesting. I am also as confident as a mother can be that no other substance was involved. Edward enjoys a drink but I have NEVER had any reason to suspect ANY drug use where he was concerned. Ever.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
"At some point during the victory celebrations, my son has fallen from this tree, where he was sat at a significant height hitting the concrete below him and, as a result, he has sustained serious, life threatening injuries. He was taken to LGI immediately, in a critical condition, where we joined him around 50 minutes later. His injuries are extensive and, over 24 hours later, he remains in a coma.
"To further clarify, he has done nothing any other young lad hasn’t in their lifetime. He climbed a tree, he’d had a few bottles, he was high on nothing but life and he’s been incredibly unlucky. Unfortunately, it was a freak accident that is likely to affect him, and all of us, whatever the outcome, for many years to come."
She added: "I appreciate people are worried about him and are clutching at any information they may have heard but, as it stands, this is the situation first hand. I can’t reply to messages individually, my priorities right now are my Son and my other children. For those who have simply messaged to say they’re thinking of him, that they are praying for him, thank you. He needs all the prayers and luck in the world right now, we all do.
"I’m hoping he shows the same resilience, the same strength, the same character we’ve all come to know and love him for in the coming days/weeks and months ahead."
We wish Edward a speedy recovery, and send our heartfelt wishes to Stacey and her family.
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival has announced the dates for this year's festival.
This year's festival will explore the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour: "To make art is to say we are here."
These words will reflect the content of this year's festival, which aim to keep Palestinian stories alive; defy the erasure of history; and bring voices from the depths of destruction.
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival will open Friday 13 November at the iconic Hyde Park Picture House with Life Support, a documentary about doctors in Gaza directed by Daniele Rugo.
Image: Supplied
The screening will be followed by a live Q&A with the director and doctors from the film, chaired by Healthworkers4Palestine.
Early programme highlights include the UK premiere of Conversation with the Sea, Muayad Alayan's family drama in which a 60-year-old Palestinian man in Jerusalem, ordered by an Israeli court to pay a debt allegedly owed by his son who drowned decades ago, sets out to discover what happened.
Also showing will be Maggie Lemere's documentary, Land of Canaan, follows Palestinian farmers and their olive trees, some more than 1,000 years old, and the fair-trade movement led by Dr Nasser Abufarha to protect them.
Image: Supplied
Frances Bernstein, Festival Director, said: “To make art is to say we are here. We chose the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour as this year's theme because they reflect what the programme is for: keeping Palestinian stories alive, defying the erasure of Palestinian history, culture and identity, and bringing voices from the depth of destruction to audiences in Leeds."
The full programme, guests and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks. You can find out more here.
Viral Yorkshire shop urges visitors to avoid weekends as huge queues form
Clementine Hall
A viral apothecary shop in Yorkshire has warned visitors about huge queues forming outside its doors, urging people to visit during the week if they want to avoid the crowds.
The Cabinet of Curiosities in Haworth has become a popular destination for those looking to really get into the autumn spirit.
And it seems like there's a lot of people who are looking to do so, as huge queues have been forming along the quaint cobbled streets of Haworth.
So much so, that owner Carolin had to issue a statement via The Cabinet of Curiosities Instagram page.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It reads: "Weekends in Haworth have become particularly busy during Autumn and we are so grateful to all those lovely souls who have patiently queued to visit the shop.
"We are so honoured that you are happy to wait to come in to our magical apothecary shop, and I can’t quite believe it when I look out of the windows and see the queue snaking up the cobbles. Be assured that the queue does move fast and it makes for a far more pleasurable visit if there are fewer people in the shop at once.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"If you would rather avoid the busy times it’s best to visit during the week if you can. Our shop is open 7 days a week 10-5, but to make sure all the shops in Haworth are open then Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are probably the best days to visit.
"We are doing our best to keep up with restocking and our fabulous workshop witches are busy blending, filling and packing every day to keep to keep the shelves stocked. We are humbled and forever grateful that you love our little shoppe, and hope you enjoy your potions and your visit to The Cabinet of Curiosities."
Clementine Hall -
8th May 2025 
