'I am so thrilled': Dr Amir Khan becomes the first ambassador for Leeds Hospitals Charity

The Bradford-born doctor has been a GP in West Yorkshire for over a decade, first appeared on hit TV series GPs: Behind Closed Doors and is now well-known for regular

appearances on ITV’s Lorraine and Good Morning Britain.

To announce his new role with the charity, Dr Amir joined volunteers on Friday March 12 at the Leeds Covid-19 Vaccination Centre- Elland Road, which is being run by Leeds Teaching

Hospitals, as part of a city-wide partnership.

As the charity partner to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Hospitals Charity has been supporting NHS staff throughout the pandemic, including supplying refreshments to the

vaccination centres.

Dr Amir said: “It is an absolute privilege to be joining Leeds Hospitals Charity as their first ever ambassador.

"Being from Yorkshire, and working within the NHS myself, I can see first-hand the great support these charities provide to our NHS organisations.

"The NHS is fantastic, but Leeds Hospitals Charity provides that over and above support to staff and patients, funding the things the NHS wouldn’t usually provide.

"Last year, while presenting the Lorraine show, I was able to see the transformation of a staff room that had been funded by NHS Charities Together.

"It was brilliant to see the difference this kind of fundraising made to those working on the front-line.

"I am so thrilled to be joining as the charity continues to grow and I look forward to helping them raise more funds to help our amazing NHS.”

Esther Wakeman, Chief Executive of Leeds Hospitals Charity, said: “We’re so excited to be welcoming Dr Amir Khan as an ambassador.

"His profile in the community and as a much-loved TV presenter will help us raise the profile of the charity and highlight how donations fund specialist medical equipment, research and other things the hospitals and patients need over and above what the NHS pays for.

"Dr Amir Khan has always been an advocate for the health sector so we’re really grateful to have him as part of the Leeds Hospitals Charity team."

What is Leeds Hospitals Charity?

Leeds Hospitals Charity - previously known as Leeds Cares - is the dedicated charity for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

It works closely with the more than 18,000 people who work at our local hospitals to support projects that the NHS does not fund, helping to relieve pressure on staff and make a real difference to the experience of patients and their families.

With the support of generous donors, it makes that valuable contribution by raising funds for equipment, services, education and research.

The 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.

Working with local communities, schools and businesses across the city and beyond, it provides an average of £5m in additional funding for the trust each year.

With more regular donors, the charity would be able to do even more to back projects that have the potential to do so much good for hospital staff and patients.

Now the Yorkshire Evening Post is asking readers to back the Help Your Hospitals campaign by becoming a friend of the charity and helping to raise an additional £3m during 2021.

Text FRIEND to 70660 to donate £5 a month or visit leedshospitalscharity.org.uk to set up a regular donation for any sum or make a one-off gift to the charity.