The Ukraine Aid Appeal, sponsored by the Leeds Charity Lunch, is now its way to Ukraine.
Four vans with around 5,000 shoeboxes have left Leeds Irish Centre and are on their way to be donated to children and adults in Ukraine, thanks to local donations and volunteers.
Children from the local area have donated their own toys and written letters in both English and Ukraine in hopes of providing some emotional support to those in the country.
Organised by founder of Vulnerable Citizens Support, Haydn Jessop and fellow volunteer John Gibbons, the pair collaborated with the Leeds Irish Centre's Business Men and Women's Charity Lunch to find more vans to help transport the donations over into Europe.
John Gibbons and Haydn Jessop. / Image: Leeds Irish Centre
Volunteer John Gibbons said in a video from Leeds Irish Centre: "it's just been something that came out of the blue" and spoke of the situation in Ukraine. "We decided to do something about it we got our volunteers together and this is it", pointing to the vans ready to take over the donations.
It is expected that the vans will reach Ukraine early next week, with an anticipated journey time of between five and a half and six full days of travelling.
Before the volunteers left with the donations, Cannon Eugene Mcguilicuddy led a blessing, thanking "the hospitality of the Irish Centre and the hospitality of the great people of Leeds here and the general public".
Image: Leeds Irish Centre
Leeds United legend Rob Burrow MBE and father Geoff Burrow attended the event to 'wave off' the donations. Excited to be a part of this initiative, Geoff Burrow spoke at length on behalf of himself and his son about the cause:
"It's important to the world, what's happening and its initiatives like this that mean so much to me.
"To be going over to Ukraine and delivering these boxes, these shoe boxes, which is a brilliant initiative, shows the kindness of Leeds Irish Centre and Leeds Charity Lunch.
"The things that they do for people, they never stop- it's quite breathtaking how kind they are."
Father of the former-Leeds United player added, "In five and a half days, maybe six days they'll be over there and it wont be such a nice day like it is today so god bless" and tweeted a good luck message later that day.
We were privileged yesterday to be invited to the wonderful Leeds Irish Centre and wave off 4 vans full of love and items for the brave people of Ukraine. Leeds at its very best 💙safe journeys and God Bless Ukraine 🇺🇦 people x
The Shoebox Appeal is still continuing to collect donations to send to Ukraine. At present, any donations are encouraged but clothing, toiletries, toys, supportive letters from children and first aid will be particularly welcomed.
Donations should be dropped off at the Leeds Irish Centre and the organisation is also able to help provide more information about the cause to those that need it.
Feature Image- Leeds Irish Centre
News
Female-founded independent jewellery brand to open in Leeds’ Victoria Gate
Norfolk-based jewellery brand Lisa Angel is opening their first Yorkshire site right here in Leeds.
Jewellery and trinket lovers, this one's for you.
Lisa Angel, a female-founded jewellery and gifting brand will open the doors to its new store in Victoria Gate next month.
Shoppers can expect a wonderful range of jewellery, gifts, and accessories that have established a loyal following during more than twenty years of business.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has only gone from strength to strength since.
Image: Supplied
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
After opening two stores last year and three stores in 2024, Lisa Angel’s founder and Creative Director, Lisa, said: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Managing Director James Moody explained the significance to the business of opening a new store in a city as influential as Leeds: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
We'll keep you up to date when we know an opening date, but for now you can check out what to expect here.
Yorkshire residents are being invited to name two new bin lorries
Clementine Hall
Well...this is a new one.
Ever fancied naming a bin lorry? Well today is your lucky day, because now you can.
Yorkshire-based waste management experts Divert are celebrating the arrival of two swanky new tbin rucks by inviting the local community to help name them.
The iconic purple bins, vans and trucks can be seen across the Yorkshire area helping to clean up waste from Bradford to Harrogate.
Two new lorries are set to be joining the fleet in April and May, and of course they need a name.
And who better to ask than the general public? The winning names will be added to the cabs of each of the trucks for all to see, and announced via the Divert website and social media channels.
Absolutely anyone from across the UK is welcome to take part, but the company are especially keen for people from Yorkshire to enter.
You can be as creative as you like, but there are a couple of rules...
No swearing or offensive names. Aside from that, you can let your freak flag fly.
The Divert team are keen to hear the 'best celebrity puns, local namesakes, and downright silly names' the public have to offer.
John Verity, Managing Director of Divert, comments: “Naming our bin trucks is a great way to bring some joy to the local community. We hope to bring a smile to the faces of passing drivers and pedestrians as our fleet passes by.
“Not only that, naming our lorries can help our drivers to take pride and ownership in the vehicles they drive and be a key reminder of our engagement within the community. We’re always keen to employ any initiatives that help the public to engage with us and ensure we’re seen as a friendly face in the area.”
Winners will be voted for by the team internally, and the competition closes at 5 pm on 31 March 2026.
Sophie Smith -
15th April 2022 
