Milestone for Leeds '˜child friendly' campaign

Over 100 ambassadors and children’s services staff joined together for the anniversary of Child Friendly Leeds at Cockburn School last night.

The month of July marks four years since the Queen visited the city to launch the council’s campaign to make Leeds the best place for children and young people to grow up.

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, executive member responsible for children and families said the campaign’s concept is “putting children and young people at the heart of everything we do.”

Child Friendly Leeds has since become a city wide partnership with over 500 businesses, charities and individuals supporting Leeds as a place where children look forward to a bright future.

The campaign invites businesses to become ambassadors to help spreading child friendly messages by building stronger links with local schools, mentoring and involving young people in their organisations.

The latest Leeds business to partner with Child Friendly is Mod Pizza, a restaurant from Seattle and the first of its kind in the UK.

Jemma Morgan, Head of Marketing for Mod Pizza UK said:“We are really excited about getting involved with Child Friendly Leeds, we are working on projects like “Mod Pizza Academy” and already are working with many Leeds primary schools. It’s important that companies like Mod Pizza play their part in the communities that we serve and hopefully Child Friendly Leeds will give us new opportunities to do so.”

Councillor Lisa Mulherin said: “By giving our children and young people the best possible start and making Leeds the best place to grow up then we will have a sustainable, prosperous and economic future. Child Friendly Leeds is not just about doing the right thing for children it is about economic regeneration for our whole city as well.”

Celebrations are set to continue throughout this month with Leeds First Direct Arena being lit up a ‘Child Friendly Leeds’ orange on July 19.