Can you spare ‘Just One Day’ this Friday to support the Lord Mayor’s charity appeal?

Local residents, businesses, schools, community groups and organisations are being urged to spare any time they can afford this Friday to raise money for the Lord Mayor’s ‘Just One Day’ charity appeal.

Following a successful debut in 2015, the Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Judith Chapman is asking the people of Leeds to once again show their support for ‘Just One Day’, which this year held on Friday 1 April, will see all proceeds raised be given to her chosen charity this year, Specialist Autism Services.

There are no rules to how people can raise money for ‘Just One Day’. Whether it is deciding to wear fancy dress to work or school, organising a sponsored event, face painting, or even holding a best joke or spelling competition, nothing is off limits. The more fun the better, and if you let us know what you are planning, there is also a chance that the Lord Mayor may pay a special visit to your business, group, organisation or school on the day to say a big thank you!

As part of an extremely busy day on 1 April, the Lord Mayor will also be with special guests, putting in the final brick in her ongoing charity attempt to build a gigantic city crest made entirely out of Lego at a World Autism Awareness Day event at Leeds Civic Hall’s banqueting suite from 12.55pm. This will sit aside a very special fire walk event that the Lord Mayor will be hosting on Millennium Square.

Registration is still open for the fire walk and those interested can book their place by downloading a registration at www.leeds.gov.uk/lordmayor or by contacting the Lord Mayor’s office on (0113) 247 4194. Please note, a £15 registration fee is needed to participate, with the event only open to people aged 13+. Any person aged under 16 taking part must also be accompanied by an adult.

To find out more about how you can take part in ‘Just One Day’ or to make a donation, please see www.leeds.gov.uk/justoneday. If you also want to tell the Twitter world what you are doing support the ‘Just One Day’ campaign or to find out more information, please use the hashtag #J1D16

Anyone wishing to contribute to the Lord Mayor’s appeal can do so in the following ways: By text: ‘LMCA01’ and putting the amount after the 1, ie £5 to 70070, or online at www.justgiving.com/lmca.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Judith Chapman said:

“We are really looking forward to the second annual ‘Just One Day’ appeal on Friday 1 April, which with so much going on including the completion of a gigantic city crest made entirely out of Lego and a special fire walk event, promises to be absolutely fantastic.

“Last year there was a brilliant response from so many Leeds residents, businesses, groups, schools and organisations to ‘Just One Day’, and we are hoping for another fantastic 24 hours of fun and colourful fundraising events, which will see every penny go to my chosen charity this year, Specialist Autism Services.

“There is still time to get involved and the great news is that you can decide how to raise money, whether it is by a cake sale, face painting or even deciding to turn up at work in your pyjamas! Please let us know what you doing, and hopefully we might be able to pop down in person and offer our thanks for all of your help.”

Notes to editors:

For any further questions, or to let the Lord Mayor know what events you are planning for ‘Just One Day’, please contact LordMayorsOffice@leeds.gov.uk

For media enquiries, please contact;

Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578

Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk