Leeds Hospitals Charity continues to make a profound difference to the lives of patients, families and NHS staff across the region, funding projects that go beyond standard hospital care and helping to create a more compassionate healthcare experience.
Working alongside Leeds Teaching Hospitals, the charity raises money to support life-saving equipment, pioneering research, improved hospital environments and wellbeing initiatives for patients of all ages. Families who have benefited from the charity’s support have described its impact as ‘invaluable’, particularly during long hospital stays and periods of uncertainty. Staff also say the additional resources funded by the charity can have a lasting effect on both care and morale.
When Morley mum Vicki Randall spent 16 weeks in hospital with her son Leo after he was born prematurely, she saw first-hand how support from Leeds Hospitals Charity helps families through their most difficult days.
From the colourful Beads of Courage funded by the charity that marked each stage of Leo’s hospital journey, to the compassionate staff who cared for them both, Vicki says the support provided hope at a time when everything felt uncertain.
Now, a new Leeds Hospitals Charity shop on Morley high street, opened by the Lord Mayor of Morley, Councillor Carol Edwards, will help ensure more families like Vicki’s receive the same care.
Vicki remembers collecting beads each week, one for every operation, blood transfusion and procedure little Leo underwent:
“Every new bead meant Leo was one step closer to coming home with us. It helped bring us some hope at a very challenging time, giving us a positive way to follow Leo’s hospital journey.
“I’m excited that a new Leeds Hospitals Charity shop has opened on our doorstep. It’s a great way for people in Morley to support a cause that has helped so many families like ours.”
Leo is now three years old still visits Leeds Children’s Hospital regularly for care. Vicki says she will always be grateful for the teams who saved her son’s life and continue to support him as he grows up.
The new shop located on Windsor Court Road offers a modern, welcoming space with high quality pre-loved fashion, homeware and bric-a-brac and more. It will be open seven days a week thanks to the support of dedicated volunteers.
Leeds Hospitals Charity now has six charity shops across the region, each designed to help build community pride and create uplifting, meaningful spaces that reflect each local area. Funds raised through donations and purchases in store will directly the charity’s work supporting over one million patients cared for at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust every year.
Jake Hornsbury, Director of Retail at Leeds Hospitals Charity said:
“This isn’t just another charity shop, we have created a space right in the heart of the community that we hope will bring the people of Morley together and inspire them to support their local NHS hospitals.
“Our hospitals are there for thousands of people in the local community like Leo and Vicki every year, and the opening of the shop will play a big part in helping us continue to make a difference. By shopping in store, donating pre-loved items and volunteering, together with the residents of Morley, we can help even more patients and families.”
Leeds Hospitals Charity is the charity partner of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, one of the biggest healthcare trusts in Europe. We raise funds for projects, above and beyond what the NHS can provide, to support the latest in healthcare innovation and technology, the treatment of rare conditions and to help reduce health inequalities.
The charity is encouraging people in the local area to donate their pre-loved treasures to the shop and to enquire online or instore around volunteer opportunities.
You can find out more about volunteering opportunities here www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk or email volunteers@leedshospitalscharity.org.uk
