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Midfielder Jamie Shackleton cut the ribbon at the new Leeds Hospitals Charity shop in Crossgates Shopping Centre following months of preparation by retail staff and volunteers.

All of the items available in store, including clothing, accessories, books, toys and homeware will help Leeds Hospitals Charity continue to raise valuable funds to support NHS staff, patients and families across our hospitals in Leeds.

At Monday's opening, Shackleton said: "I was born in Leeds and I'm so proud to play for our amazing football club, but I'm also so grateful to all of the NHS heroes at my local hospitals for their hard work, especially during the pandemic.

Left to right: Rhys Pearson, Jamie Shackleton, Ernie, Leeds Hospitals Charity mascot and Thadra Bryant, retail manager, Crossgates Charity shop.

"I am so pleased to be opening the first Leeds Hospitals Charity shop to the public, knowing that all funds raised will help staff, patients and families at Leeds Teaching Hospitals."

The shop is now open to the public following the lifting of restrictions on non-essential retail and safety measures will be in place to protect customers, volunteers and staff, such as social

distancing and sanitiser stations.

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Joining the opening celebrations are from left to right: Dean Hoyle, Trustee, Leeds Hospitals Charity; Joanne Wrigg, volunteer, Crossgates Charity Shop; Rhys Pearson, nine-year-old football fan; Jamie Shackleton, LUFC player; Ernie, Leeds Hospitals Charity mascot; Thadra Bryant, retail manager, Crossgates Charity shop; Dr Edward Ziff OBE DL Hon DBA, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Leeds Hospitals Charity.

He said: “We’re really excited to welcome our wonderful customers and supporters to our very first charity shop in Crossgates shopping centre, less than a mile from one of our hospitals in Seacroft.

"As a charity, our mission is clear - to support Leeds Teaching Hospitals in their aim to deliver the best care to patients and their families - but to do this we need the support of people within our communities now more than ever before.

"Every single item customers purchase in our charity shop will help make a difference, whether you spend £5 or £50, each item sold helps us fund vital projects over and above what the NHS can pay for across our hospitals.”

The charity says it is hoping to open a second shop in Leeds city centre this summer.

Leeds Hospitals Charity provides support for eight areas which include Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Children’s Hospital, Leeds Cancer Centre, St James’s University Hospital, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Seacroft Hospital, Wharfdale Hospital and Leeds Dental Institute.

Each year it provides £5m in additional funding for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust.

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Leeds United's Jamie Shackleton opens first high street shop for hospital charity in Cross Gates