Victoria Leeds donates £20,000 to eight charities helping people in need

The scheme, launched in August, is a new initiative which will see the centre donate a total of £20,000 to support local groups across Leeds that have been hit hard by COVID-19.

Hammerson, which owns Victoria Leeds, has launched the scheme across all ten of its flagship destinations in the UK.

Victoria Leeds will award eight £2,500 grants to Leeds Women’s Aid, Leeds Wood Recycling, St George’s Crypt for homeless and vulnerable adults, Leeds South and East Foodbank, Bevan Healthcare CLC, Smart Works Leeds women’s support group, Basis Yorkshire charity for women and young people and Living Potential social enterprise supporting adults and young people with challenges.

The Victoria Leeds initiative was developed in partnership with Leeds Community Foundation, who worked with the destination to allocate the grants to those in greatest need.

The grants were given to organisations that tackle food poverty, provide support services to people affected by domestic violence and abuse, support those who are homeless or rough sleeping, or provide employment opportunities, enterprise or skills development.

Jo Coburn, general manager at Victoria Leeds, said: “This has been a really challenging year for everyone, and we know that charities and other organisations across Leeds have really gone the extra mile.

“This project is all about giving something back to those groups that have pulled out all the stops over the past few months, and need a helping hand to ensure they can continue to carry out their valuable work.

“We are so grateful for everything they have done.”