IN LEEDS WE TRUST: Fans have once again shown the strength and passion of the Leeds United family

It has been nice this week to see a real buzz around the club and city as the Leeds United community has come together to support both foodbanks and children across our city.

The performances of the team on the pitch continues to excite us, but there is no denying that it hurts to miss out on watching this great start to the season.

The coronavirus pandemic has, and still is, robbing us of this experience and every time we get nearer to being allowed back into Elland Road, the government position changes to stop it happening for that bit longer.

We reported last week that a decision was taken and voted for by the clubs, the Premier League (PL) and the TV broadcasters to start charging £14.95 pay-per-view (PPV) to watch live some individual games.

This is on top of existing TV subscriptions and after Leeds United season tickets had already been paid for (and not yet refunded).

It was remarkable to see just how football fans have united and responded to this unnecessary greed.

Initial credit must go to Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust who came up with the #CharitynotPPV campaign. They asked their fans to boycott the PPV game and instead donate each £14.95 to their foodbank charities and have so far raised over £21,000 alone through this campaign.

But as the saying goes, ‘Leeds always bring more’, and it was an overwhelming few days seeing how our own fanbase reacted.

Through the Trust’s Leeds Fans Foodbank crowdfunding page, our fans have now donated over £58,500 just on the back of the #CharitynotPPV campaign, taking our overall fundraising amount to over £90,000 in two years.

The money raised this week alone is the equivalent to providing over 32,000 meals to families in our city who are in crisis or needing extra support due to the financial impact of the pandemic.

We are also really pleased that some of these funds raised has gone towards helping families this half term, meaning the foodbanks have been able to add fresh staple products like bread, butter and eggs to family parcels and referrals.

Leeds United also deserve kudos this week, after the players chipped in over £25,000 to fund free school meals, which was then matched by the club.

The players have always been great in supporting our foodbank appeal. So, the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust would publicly like to give a massive ‘Thank You’ to the Leeds United fanbase for your immense generosity.

It is clearly a difficult time for everyone, but you have once again shown the strength and passion of the Leeds United family.

The Trust are continuing to raise funds for this valuable cause, so if you wish to donate please visit www.leedsunitedtrust.com/donate.

Adding your own voice to the Trust’s work is easy.

Simply visit our website at www.leedsunitedtrust.com and become a member for just £10 per year. As a member, you can also enrol your child for free as a Future Trust member!

Marching on together.