Family tragedies inspired Leeds United fans behind 'Leeds That' podcast to back charities

The Whites fans behind the Leeds That podcast are running a prize draw in aid of Orb Community Arts in Knaresborough and York Special Care Baby Unit at York Hospital, two causes close to their hearts.

Paul Morrison, one of the podcast's founding members, and his wife Laura lost their new-born son Jack Arthur Morrison at just six days old in December, before the father of another of the podcasters passed away.

James Weller's dad Stuart had lived with Parkinson's for 15 years.

Now, in memory of both Jack and Stuart, Leeds That are asking for donations in return for a place in the draw, with prizes including Leeds shirts signed by Jermaine Beckford and Pablo Hernandez, a Yorkshire Cricket shirt signed by Tim Bresnan, a custom Kalvin Phillips funko figurine, books signed by Andrew Dalton and Bryn Law as well as DVD's signed by Lee Hicken and Jamie Jones-Buchanan.

Paul and James wanted to show their support and gratitude to the people who helped them through their heartache.

"It has been a very difficult period and something you never expect to have to deal with," said Paul.

"But my wife and I are choosing to be positive and we want to find ways to help others in memory of our son, Jack.

"The work that York SCBU do is invaluable and anything people can donate would be very much appreciated by all of us."

James added: "Leeds United was always a thing I did with my Dad, we loved going to Elland Road together and I miss that more than anything.

"Orb Community Arts were brilliant with him and helped him express his creative side throughout his illness so we want to raise as much money as we can to support what is a fantastic charity"

Anyone wanting to enter should go to www.leedsthat.com/donate to pledge £5 or more to Orb Community Arts in Knaresborough and York Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at York Hospital who looked after baby Jack in December and provide dedicated care for many other babies like him every day.

Donations will being split between the two charities and entries to the prize draw will close on June 30, with the winner being announced in July.James, Paul, Andy Ireland and Matt Evans started the podcast last summer and named it after the two little words that sum up exactly what it's like to be a Leeds United fan.

Matt said: "Leeds That is the phrase that explains what it means to miss out on promotion after being top of the table at Christmas, to get beaten by Derby in the play-offs or

to have a run of amazing form ended by a global pandemic."