Local heroes from all EFL clubs are being recognised and celebrated for the impact they make in their communities as part of the EFL's Community Weekends campaign, taking place from Saturday 22nd February to Sunday 3rd March.

As part of the campaign, the Leeds United Foundation have nominated our very own Community Heroes, to acknowledge the vital work various staff, volunteers and participants deliver 365 days per year.

The chosen Community Heroes were invited to Thorp Arch recently, receiving shirts from a number of first-team players, including Pascal Struijk, Joe Rothwell, Sam Bryam, Manor Solomon and Josuha Guilavogui, who thanked them all for their incredibly important work. All six winners, Amy, Paul, Luke, David, Gary and Sheikh, have also been invited as special guests to the Sky Bet Championship fixture against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon, and they will be presented with their 2024/25 Community Hero pennants at the side of the pitch.

You can find out more about each of our nominated Community Heroes below:

Amy Thompson

Amy is the Director of Personal Development at Corpus Christi, which is one of the schools the Leeds United Foundation works closely with. Throughout the partnership, Amy has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to not only the personal growth and well-being of students but also to the betterment of the entire school community.

What truly sets Amy apart, is her unwavering kindness and empathy, her positive energy and leadership and her tireless work ethic. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure every student feels valued and empowered and is continuously working towards providing the safest and most supportive space for all students and staff.

Lucy Jones, Positive Choices Coordinator at the Leeds United Foundation, said: “Amy goes above and beyond in her role to make sure that all the students at Corpus Christi have the best opportunities to develop themselves and make the most of a variety of opportunities.”

Paul Atkinson

Paul has been a valued member of the Leeds United Foundation for over 25 years, contributing to a wide range of programmes, with his most significant impact being on the development and progress of the Women and Girls pathway. Paul has always been an incredibly reliable member of staff, and his commitment, knowledge and expertise have made him an invaluable asset to the club and charity.

Abigail Lee, Head of Women and Girls at the Leeds United Foundation, said: “Paul is truly deserving of this award. He is a pleasure to work with, and his extensive knowledge and understanding of the female pathway, alongside the invaluable support he has provided, make him an exceptional asset to the team. His dedication and 27 years of service deserve to be celebrated.

“The Foundation is only as strong as the staff who drive it, and Paul embodies the qualities and values that we strive to uphold as an organisation. His commitment to Leeds United makes him a standout member of our team.”

Luke Harrison

Luke started working as a volunteer with the Foundation in 2017 and is now a fully fledged member of staff, working across three departments as a coach.

Luke lives with cerebral palsy and has acted as a real inspiration since he started with the Leeds United Foundation, especially for the participants he works with who also suffer with disabilities, as he is able to show them first-hand that hard work and commitment does pay off and you are capable of anything you put your mind to.

Simon Wood, Health and Wellbeing Lead at the Leeds United Foundation, said: “Luke has had to overcome a lot of barriers to get to where he has, and he has been on a real journey with the Foundation - it has been a pleasure to be a part of that.

“Luke is always more than willing to act as a spokesperson for the club, and he always goes out of his way to support with important educational campaigns throughout the year.”

David Goodwill and Gary Longbottom

David and Gary are both members of the weekly Over 50s sessions at Elland Road, hosted by the Leeds United Foundation. Both participants are retired and attend the sessions to help keep busy and spend time with likeminded people, with the programme aimed at supporting those who may feel isolated or suffer with a feeling of loneliness later in life.

Through attending the sessions, the duo have become good friends and have asked to be more involved in the activities that are delivered to support the coaches and other participants. Each week the pair write their own fresh and informative quiz, which has become an integral part of the session and something that everyone loves taking part in and their help has become increasingly valuable.

Simon Wood, Health and Wellbeing Lead, said: “It has been fantastic to see how involved David and Gary have both become in our sessions, and I can’t thank them enough for their enthusiasm and support in ensuring each week there is something different and engaging for our other participants.

“In turn, by allowing them to be a bigger part of the sessions has now really contributed to their mental health and well-being as they are able to use each session as a positive focus for their week, having both previously struggled with feeling isolated since retiring, which I know is a feeling many others feel.”

Sheikh Omar

Sheikh is a well-known figure in in the Lincoln Green community, playing an incredibly supportive role with the Premier League Kicks initiative having also founded the Lincoln Green Mosque.

Through the support of Sheikh, the Leeds United Foundation have been able to help hundreds of young people, through the removal of participation barriers. Sheikh has provided mentorship, educational guidance and career support whilst also improving confidence levels, self-esteem and the mental well-being of youngsters who have previously struggled due to language and cultural differences. Without the help from Sheikh, the club’s official charity may not have been able to reach those young people who have really benefitted from being a part of the programme.

Richard Foye, Head of Kicks and Race Equalities Lead within the Leeds United Foundation, said: “Sheikh has managed to build a bridge between young people and success, his dedication is truly inspiring. His work exemplifies community leadership, and the impact he has had on young people in the local area is nothing short of incredible, we are lucky to be able to work so closely with him.”

From everyone associated with the club, a huge thank you to all of our Community Heroes and we look forward to welcoming you to Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

For more information on the EFL Community Weekends and the impact of EFL club community work, please visit www.efl.com.