Leeds always united and proud to help our own - Laura Collins, YEP Editor

I can still remember vividly the overwhelming response when parts of Leeds were left devastated by the brutal impact of Storm Eva on Boxing Day 2015.

The surreal images of cars submerged and vast swathes of Kirkstall Road submerged under the dirty floodwaters are hard to forget.

There was an initial sense of sadness that this could have even happened followed by an overwhelming feeling of anger that this should never have been allowed to happen in the first place.

Business owners and residents bore the emotional brunt after their livelihoods and possessions were swept away by the unrelenting floodwater that consumed everything in its path.

But our city refused to be beaten and in the hours and days that followed hundreds of people ditched their festive plans to support in the big clean-up.

Armed with brushes and shovels, our city joined together as a collective and rolled its sleeves up to help those who had been affected to start to rebuild their lives.

And that’s the thing about Leeds. We unite and come to the aid of those who need our help the most.

It is an understatement to say how challenging the last year has been for each and every one of us.

Nobody could have predicted the far-reaching impact of the pandemic.

Over the turbulent year we have seen our city join together to support those who need help the most.

A volunteer army was immobilised to support the vulnerable while other people thought of innovative ways to play their part in response to the pandemic.

Many made masks, they raised money and free food was served up to our hardworking health staff as a small way to say thank you.

It is against this backdrop that it was hard not to feel moved last week in response to the overwhelming support given to the Tech Angels after their plea for help when dozens of laptops were stolen from their premises overnight.

The 40 laptops were destined for disadvantaged children to help support them with their schoolwork during the lockdown. It was a real hammer blow to those youngsters who were already in danger of falling behind in their education because of the stark digital divide.

But then something remarkable happened in the hours that followed after we published a rallying cry to support them.

The people of Leeds – as they always do – answered the call. Last night the GoFundMe page set up by the team had doubled its £10,000 fundraising target to be able to replace the stolen machines.

More than 1,000 people have donated to the appeal and they thanked Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford for raising the issue after he took up the baton and urged people to back the cause.

The Leeds United hero even went as far as donating his 100th career goal match shirt.

Yet again we are faced with a fantastic example of Leeds rallying to help one of their own and how Leeds United embody that spirit of togetherness.

After all, we’re all Leeds aren’t we.

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