The Precious Time Appeal will see donors get their support doubled instantly, and it's taking place this weekend.
This Sunday 21 and Monday 22 April, St Gemma's Hospice will stage a fundraising event never before seen in Leeds.
The Precious Time Appeal is an online fundraising event taking place over 36 hours, where donors will have their support instantly doubled.
To enable this, the charity has persuaded a group of major donors to provide a pool of matching funds.
Image: St Gemma's Hospice
The Precious Time Appeal will tell the important story of the incredible care given by St Gemma’s at the end of life. In a specially commissioned film, donors will see how St Gemma’s does everything it can to make this precious time as liveable and special as possible.
The idea of precious time applies to the fundraiser's 36-hour window, underlining the short time in which donors can get their donation doubled and therefore their impact.
Chief Executive, Kerry Jackson OBE, says: “Demand for palliative care at our hospice and in the community is growing all the time, so St Gemma’s has to do more to sustain the vital care we provide.
Image: St Gemma's Hospice
"The Precious Time Appeal is a unique opportunity for those who want to support our work, to get their donation instantly doubled. Thanks to our generous matching fund donors and our champions, I’m confident that this innovative appeal will make a huge difference to patient care at St Gemma’s.”
You can support this incredible campaign by donating as much or as little as you can during the 36-hour period, and encouraging everyone you know to do the same.
St Gemma's Hospice will be sharing live updates on fundraising progress over the weekend, so make sure to keep up to date with their social media channels here.
To find out more and to donate to this incredibly worthy cause, visit their fundraising page.
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Clementine Hall -
19th April 2024 
