The family of a boy born with liver and heart disease is fundraising to buy a life-sized bear sculpture dedicated to him.
Raising money for Leeds Hospitals Charity, the Leeds Bear Hunt is an annual trail around the city that took place over the last ten weeks and had locals and visitors alike seeking out giant bear sculptures.
There were 35 bears dotted around the city, including a very special one named Polar.
Polar shares the story of Freddie Mcdonald, aged 11, who has been cared for at Leeds Teaching Hospitals since being just six months old when he was diagnosed with Alagille syndrome.
Image: Emma Mcdonald (via Facebook)
The Ossett family are now hoping to buy the life-sized sculpture when they go up for auction, with Mrs Mdonald saying "I can't see anyone valuing that bear like we would."
The bear sculptures will be auctioned off on Thursday 28 September and money raised will be used to fund care for critically-ill babies and children at the trust.
The family have already raised a whopping £120,000 for the hospitals' charity but said buying the bear also meant they could help others.
Mrs McDonald said: "I say it all the time but it's so true - the hospital saved Freddie's life numerous times but every time they saved his life they saved ours as well."
The family have put together a fundraising video, featuring supporters shouting 'Get Freddie's Bear'.
Included in the video are ex-Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow and family as well as Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who are all behind Freddie's campaign.
Paul Watkins, Director of Fundraising at Leeds Hospitals Charity, said the purchase of a bear would help "continue to support the hospital's incredible efforts to provide exceptional treatment and care to hundreds of critically-ill babies and children every year."
You can donate to the 'Get Freddie's Bear' fundraiser here.
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 -
19th September 2023 
