Our partnership with Leeds United has been running for the whole football season, and we’ve had lots of exciting events running for the children. Leeds United players have visited the children to make pizzas, carve pumpkins, and get stuck into activities like archery.
A group of children visited the LUFC training ground, and many more have been to matches with their families, teachers, and friends. It’s been a special time, and local children have had the chance to meet their heroes and make unforgettable memories.
As part of the partnership, Leeds United recently hosted a dedicated match day, to raise awareness of Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm. The match was an opportunity to reach out to the fans and tell them all about the fantastic work we do here at Lineham Farm.
Proudly on the chests of the players
The players wore football shirts emblazoned with our logo during the warmup, with our partnership message ‘United For Children’ proudly at the centre. The LUFC club mascot, Lucas the Kop Cat, also donned a shirt in solidarity and some of our children stepped out alongside the players as mascots ahead of kick-off.
There was information about the charity up on the big screens for fans to see and our lovely team stood with donation buckets at the entrances. Jenny Jones, Fundraising Manager, and Ian Hargreaves, Chairman at Leeds Children’s Charity, also spoke in three lounges to the hospitality guests, sharing a bit about the aims of the charity and our work.
It was incredible to see the charity’s logo spread across Elland Road, for all to see. Seeing the players stepping out on the pitch sporting it was a highlight. The awareness meant lots of generous donations from fans and supporters throughout the day.
Fundraising up a storm
Our efforts were in aid of spreading the word and raising vital funds for the charity. Our partnership with LUFC has been first and foremost about creating memorable experiences for the children. But this matchday was a unique opportunity to raise some money.
As a local charity, we rely on the people of Leeds to keep Lineham Farm running and provide ongoing support to the children in Leeds who need us most. It costs an average of £50 per day for a child to visit Lineham, and every donation is crucial for enabling us to reach as many young people as possible.
On the match day, we raised a fantastic £2,465.55!
These generous funds will go towards our plans for building a new camping facility at Lineham Farm, helping us to provide unforgettable experiences and respite breaks for even more children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Jenny Jones said “I’m feeling thankful as we reflect on the success and support from our dedicated match day with LUFC. It was humbling to see all the players wearing our United for Children charity t-shirts.
“Thank you to everyone who contributed, volunteered, and supported us. Together, we’ve made a meaningful difference, helping to brighten children’s lives across Leeds.”
Leeds is our city, and we’re United For Children
The partnership with Leeds United has been a truly special experience and it’s incredible to see so many Leeds residents come together in support of the next generation. The club and the players have been amazing, showing a genuine enthusiasm for the work we do.
We hope this exciting match day is just the beginning, and that Leeds United fans across the county hear our message and offer their support in whatever way they can. Even the simple act of as sharing our message with others can go such a long way.
If you want to stay updated about future events, you can connect with us on social media. We’re on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X. Please also keep an eye on our events page where we’ll add more upcoming experiences you could get involved in.