Leeds Children’s Charity Celebrates 18 Years of Service from Trustee Tim Simpson

Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm is recognising the outstanding contribution of long-serving trustee Tim Simpson, who is stepping down after 18 years of dedicated service to the organisation.

As the charity enters an exciting new phase of growth and development, Tim’s leadership and commitment are being celebrated for the lasting impact they have had on both the charity and the thousands of children it supports across Leeds.

A Personal Connection to Lineham Farm

Tim’s connection to Lineham Farm is deeply personal. The centre was originally the vision of his late mother, Cllr Denise Atkinson MBE, who served as Lord Mayor of Leeds.

At her inauguration in May 1992, Denise challenged the city to transform the ruined outbuildings of a 345-year-old farm into a holiday and activity centre for disadvantaged children and young people.

Thanks to significant fundraising and a major renovation project she championed, Lineham Farm Children’s Centre opened in May 1993, welcoming children from across Leeds for outdoor learning, adventure and respite.

A Legacy Built Over More Than a Century

While Lineham Farm has played a central role in the charity’s work for decades, the organisation’s roots go back even further.

In 1904, the Lady Mayoress of Leeds Helen Currer Briggs founded the Leeds Poor Children’s Holiday Camp Association, offering free holidays for children from families earning less than £1 per week. The organisation later became Leeds Children’s Charity in 2010.

In 2016, trustees made the difficult decision to sell the charity’s long-standing Silverdale site due to rising costs and funding uncertainty. The move protected the charity’s long-term future and allowed it to continue supporting children who needed its services most.

Recognising their shared mission, Lineham Farm Children’s Trust and Leeds Children’s Charity merged in 2020, forming Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm and creating a stronger organisation supporting children from diverse backgrounds through fun, adventure and positive challenge.

Guiding the Charity Through Change

Throughout this period of transformation, Tim Simpson has played an important role on the Board of Trustees.

With more than 25 years of experience as an HR leader across multiple sectors, Tim brought valuable strategic and organisational expertise to the charity. His leadership helped ensure the organisation could continue delivering life-changing experiences for children across the city.

Reflecting a belief shared by his mother, Tim has often spoken about the responsibility to support others:

“I’ve always believed that because I was blessed to be healthy and have a strong family, I had an obligation to care for people who hadn’t.”

Making a Lasting Difference for Children in Leeds

Today, Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm supports children living in poverty, experiencing trauma or facing multiple disadvantages.

Set in a 120-acre countryside environment just outside Leeds, Lineham Farm provides a safe and nurturing space where children can enjoy outdoor activities, build confidence, develop friendships and experience time away from the challenges they face at home.

Through Tim’s long-standing commitment, countless children have benefited from opportunities to grow, explore and develop lasting self-belief.

A Thank You from the Charity

Sharon Milner, Chief Executive of Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm, paid tribute to Tim’s contribution:

“We are incredibly grateful to Tim for his many years of service to both Lineham Farm and, more recently, Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm. His wisdom, leadership and commitment to our mission have made a lasting impact on the charity and on the lives of the children we support. We wish him every success for the future.”