Leeds United TV 's Emma Jones helps St George's Crypt celebrate 90th anniversary

Tributes have been paid today (Oct 14) to the 'inspirational' St George's Crypt staff and volunteers who continue to offer food, shelter and support to those most in need.

St George's vicar Rev Don Robbins founded St George's Crypt in 1930 to combat increasing homelessness in Leeds.

It reportedly provided shelter for 70,00 men over the course of five years and fed 500 men in a day.

The crypt was launched with the mission statement ' to meet the need in the city of Leeds.'

The charity now runs a range of health and well-being activities and a drug and alcohol recovery project and has independent supported flats.

In the midst of a global pandemic, the St George's Crypt charity has had to change the way it operates, but is continuing to support and care for hundreds of homeless and vulnerable people.

The 90th anniversary celebrations will be conducted online across the Crypt’s social media channels.

Working with Yorkshire Film Archive, the Crypt will showcase archived footage.

The Crypt has worked with Leeds web design agency Few and Far, design agency Aire Design and photographic studio Powerhouse Productions to launch a new website.

And it has released a new book Entertaining Saints.

Written by Crypt chaplain Rev Roger Quick, it features a collection of stories from his years of service and relationship with the charity.

People from walks of life in Leeds have recorded video messages to help the Crypt celebrate its milestone birthday.

Leeds Central Labour MP Hilary Benn said on his video message: "I will never forget a few years ago listening to one of the men that you had helped, standing up in front of a group of complete strangers and talking about the journey he had been on that had transformed his life.

"That's why I would like to express my thanks to every single one of you, staff and volunteers, for being such an inspiration to all of us who have had the privilege to work alongside the Crypt.

"I would like to wish you a very happy 90th birthday and I look forward in ten years from now, when we can all gather together in person to celebrate a century of service to the people of our great city."

Leeds United TV presenter Emma Jones said in a video message: "I just want to wish St George's Crypt a huge happy 90th birthday and thank them so much for the work that they have done and continue to do.

"They help vulnerable and homeless people.They help getting them back into the community, they help getting them training and support, they help in so many ways and they are so crucial.

"One day, hopefully, we won't need a charity like St George's Crypt, but while we do we need to back them fully and give them all of our support."

Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan said on the video: "What an amazing milestone - and to think of the numbers of people who have been helped, the lives that have been turned around, the amazing role the crypt has played in helping us to help vulnerable people to tackle homelesness.

"To have this principle that one person having to sleep rough is too many and to be an absolute pivotal part of our plan and our team in the city to deal with the issues people find themselves in."

During October and November the Crypt will release more messages of support and thanks from people, including Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell and Ed Anderson, Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.

St George’s Crypt chief executive officer Chris Fields, said: "In these difficult times, when everyone has had to cancel, postpone and change their plans, it is brilliant to see the city getting behind us.

"Thanks to technology we are still able to share and celebrate in a way we would never have been able to do before, and we want to thank everyone who continues to support us.

"St George's Crypt has been at the forefront of homeless and vulnerable care and support in Leeds for the past 90 years.

"It is testament to our approach that we have such a close partnership with the council, have not stopped during the Covid pandemic and are developing exciting plans to support even more people off the streets and into safe, secure accommodation in the future.

"We are a forward-thinking charity, and we want to thank the city of Leeds for 90 years of support looking forward to a time when there is no more homelessness, and we are no longer needed.

"Until then we will keep doing what we do, developing new services and offering our clients the best support we can."

Coun Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities said: “We are extremely fortunate to have in Leeds a wide range of wonderful groups, organisations and charities who work extremely closely with us at Leeds City Council, to support those who have nowhere to live or are rough sleeping.

“St George’s Crypt is one such charity, who day-in, day-out continue to make an outstanding and enormous contribution to help those in need."

The coronavirus has brought a halt to the Crypt's shops, cafes and fundraising events, so donations are more vital than ever before.

For more information, go to www.stgeorgescrypt.org.uk

To donate, go to https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/1117#!/DonationDetails