More of Yorkshire’s ‘Rio Heroes’ confirm their attendance at homecoming parade in Leeds

Ed Clancy, Kadeena Cox and Tom Ransley are the latest ‘Rio Heroes’ to attend a very special homecoming parade in Leeds on Wednesday 28 September, which will honour their outstanding performances in the Olympics and Paralympics.

In what promises to be a truly memorable occasion, the people of Yorkshire will be able to pick their spot in Leeds City Centre from approximately 5.15pm and cheer their ‘Rio Heroes’ as they ride along the parade route on open-top buses and cars between 5.45pm-6.45pm. Accompanying the buses will be a host of entertainment including a DJ and dancers from the West Indian Carnival, the Band of the King’s Division, West Yorkshire Police Band and the Handmade Samba Band that is sure to give the parade a real Rio flavour.

Businesses in Leeds are also being encouraged to get involved in the fun on the day by hosting a range of themed Olympic and Paralympic events and activities of their choice. Whether it is decorating your shop window with bright colours and a flavour of Rio, having a bake off with proceeds going to a Yorkshire charity or dressing up as a sporting hero – it’s entirely up to you - and there is even the chance to win a very special team day out at Camp Hill Estate!

Organised in partnership with Welcome to Yorkshire, the main event sponsor of the parade is Clipper Logistics with partner support from Slingsby Gin, Radio Aire, Yorkshire Water, Yorkshire Tea and Vale of Mowbray.

The latest athletes to confirm their attendance to the star-studded list, include:

• Triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee who earned gold and silver medals respectively.
• World, European and Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft MBE who has now won two golds in Rio.
• Diver and gold medallist, Jack Laugher.
• Paralympic Cycling Pilot double gold medallist, Adam Duggleby.
• Paralympic swimmer, Jonathan Booth.
• Bronze medal gymnast, Nile Wilson.
• Rowing silver medallist, Zoe Lee.
• Vicky Holland who won bronze in the triathlon.
• Rowers Andy Triggs Hodge, Tom Ransley and Paul Bennett who all claimed gold.
• Cycling gold medallist Ed Clancy
• Double Paralympic gold medallist, Kadeena Cox
• Paralympic cyclist David Stone MBE

Beginning on The Headrow outside Leeds Art Gallery, the route of the parade will take a right turn onto Park Row before heading down to City Square where it will then take a left turn on to Boar Lane. The buses will then take a left onto Briggate, before making one final left onto The Headrow and returning outside Leeds Art Gallery. With viewing spots available right along the route, those in attendance will have the chance to cheer and see up close their Yorkshire Rio Heroes in different areas and locations of the city centre.

As the parade travels the route, all roads above will be closed temporarily to all traffic on a rolling closure basis under police escort for up to one hour. To help safely facilitate the parade, some longer-term road closures and other traffic management are also required at key points along the parade route:

• The Headrow, Calverley St to Cookridge Street.
• Cookridge St, Headrow to Gt George St.

After a tremendous Olympics in Rio which saw Yorkshire athletes contribute 14 medals (5 Gold- 5 Silver - 4 Bronze) out of an overall medal total of 67 for Team GB, Paralympic athletes from the region also hit the heights, contributing 12 from a total medal haul of 147.

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake, said:

“The performances of Yorkshire’s Olympic and Paralympic Rio Heroes have been both amazing and inspiring, and we cannot wait to give them on September 28 a homecoming parade in Leeds that they so richly deserve.

“The support which our local athletes receive from the Yorkshire public is always sensational, and the 28^th is a marvellous opportunity for people right across the region and beyond to come together and welcome back our Rio Heroes in style!”

Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire Sir Gary Verity, said:

“We can’t wait to welcome our Rio Heroes home in style and they are as excited about the party as we are. It’s tremendous to see such a stellar list of stars taking part in the parade and our Paralympians’ heroics means there’s going to be a huge fleet of medals on show.

“The additional entertainment will add a splash of sound and colour, and when you factor in a mammothYorkshire crowd, we’re all set for a night to remember.”

Gold medal cyclist Ed Clancy, said:

I’m really happy to be involved in the Rio Heroes parade. It’s going to be great catching up with the other Olympians and seeing the huge crowds in Leeds. We’re all massively grateful for the support we receive around the county and it’ll definitely be a fun evening.”

Double gold medallist Kadeena Cox, said:

“I am really excited to be attending the Yorkshire homecoming event in Leeds on the 28 September.

“To have the parade in my hometown of Leeds is unbelievable, and to be involved is something that starting out as an athlete I could not have dreamt of.”

World, European and Paralympic Champion Hannah Cockroft MBE, who is from Halifax and trains in Leeds, said:

“It’s brilliant that the parade is bringing so many amazing Yorkshire athletes together and the other

entertainment will definitely add to the whole sense of occasion. I can’t wait to see everyone and I’m

excited that my mum and friends will be there too.”

Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Gerry Harper, said:

“To have the chance as a city to host the Yorkshire Rio Heroes homecoming parade on September 28 is something that has made us all very proud.

“To see the streets of Leeds city centre packed with the people of Yorkshire as they welcome back our heroes in an atmosphere of music and colour is something that I’m sure no one present will ever forget.”

Notes to editors:

This event, which has been organised with support from other local authorities across the region, does not replace homecoming celebrations that some councils are hosting for individual athletes.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION:

Any members of the media wishing to attend the parade are asked to submit their individual requests by 5pm on Monday 26 September to: parade@yorkshire.com

Please note, due to numbers and logistics, all requests may not be approved or subject to alteration.

For media enquiries, please contact;

Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk

Marie Christopher, Senior Press Officer, Welcome to Yorkshire

Email: mchristopher@yorkshire.com

Direct: 0113 322 3537 Mobile: 07557 157 034