Leeds United star Jack Harrison recently paid a special visit to a Yorkshire Cancer Research facility based in Harrogate to learn more about their incredible Active Together service.

Active Together is a relatively new research-backed cancer exercise treatment service that is currently being delivered in eight different areas across Yorkshire

Underpinned by well-established scientific evidence that shows exercise can increase survival, improve recovery from treatment and reduce the risk of cancer coming back, the service aims to help people prepare for and recover from cancer treatment.

Jack was invited to the Harrogate centre by the local charity to meet members of the service, join in one of their fitness classes and take a tour of the facility – which includes two exercise studios, a cafe and a shop.

One of the Active Together members Jack met during his visit, was 78-year-old David Rance, who was diagnosed with throat cancer last year. David spoke to LUTV during the visit with the winger, and he said: “The visit from Jack Harrison was really important and inspirational. I’ve never met a footballer who is as friendly and engaging as he was. Jack was genuine in his support and concern and that radiated from him. I hope it helps raise awareness of the importance of exercise for people with cancer.

“My wife used to say I was ‘cavalier’, but I’m not anymore. I’m very grateful and careful now, and I believe Active Together has been a big part of helping me both physically and emotionally through my diagnosis.”

Harrison’s support for the charity began back in 2022, when Yorkshire Cancer Research were the official charity for Leeds United, with Jack personally donating a match-worn shirt to the charity from his hattrick scoring performance against West Ham United.

The club and Yorkshire Cancer Research hosted an online raffle for the shirt to raise much-needed funds to support the important work the charity do, and among the raffle’s supporters was Andreas Dracopoulos, Co-President of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). A lifelong Leeds United fan, Andreas donated $10,000 as part of the raffle (which raised £30,000 in total) sparking conversations with the charity and SNF that has led to a pledge of £835,000 to support the first three years of Active Together in Harrogate and much more.

Nicky Hill, Head of Active Together at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “It was brilliant to welcome Jack to the Yorkshire Cancer Research centre to learn about the difference Active Together is having for people with cancer.

"Thanks to the passion and generosity of supporters like Jack and SNF, we can provide this vital service to more people and demonstrate its life-saving potential.

“We've seen over 3,000 people across Yorkshire benefit from Active Together and it probably wouldn't have happened without Jack's support and that raffle of the shirt that's led to such an amazing partnership and had such a massive impact on people affected by cancer here in Yorkshire.”

Jack added: “I've had a great time today, a really nice tour, we’ve done a little workout with some of the people here but understanding more of the role that this charity is playing in people's lives and the community, is amazing!

“To see the people coming in and they're able to come for help and be assessed but also be in a community where they're able to share different stories and have that support that maybe might not be available to some people. It is just always nice to be a part of something bigger than yourself and serving for the greater good. So, understanding what people are doing to drive this forward, it's incredible.”

If you would like to learn more about the work being done by Yorkshire Cancer Research, or the Active Together service, please click here.