Leeds United will be celebrating the incredible work of the Leeds United Foundation on Saturday afternoon as we take on Preston North End in the Sky Bet Championship.

The club’s official charity supports thousands of people in our local community, specifically working hard to ensure those who are most vulnerable and most in need are given opportunities they may otherwise not have access to. Through the power of football, the Foundation aims to enhance the lives of people across our region and beyond, through initiatives and projects that are focused on education, sport participation, and health and wellbeing.

Ahead of the game at the weekend, participants from the Veterans Café will be holding a bucket collection around the stadium to help raise vital funds to support the club’s official charity. The first-team players will also be wearing branded t-shirts for their warmup, to help promote the important work delivered by the Foundation and show their continued support.

We will also be delighted to welcome a number of special participants from various programmes to the game, with some of our younger participants enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime mascot experience and others being given the chance to stand pitchside as the teams enter the pitch ahead of kick-off.

Our captain, Ethan Ampadu, will also be joined by Leeds United legend Eddie Gray and former Leeds United Women’s captain Bridie Hannon, for photos at the side of the pitch before the match, with the trio set to be announced as the first ever ambassadors for the Leeds United Foundation.

Frances Milner, the Chief Executive Officer at the Leeds United Foundation, said: “At the Leeds United Foundation we are really proud of the work we do with 70,000 people within our community, every day whether it’s with children or with adults, for football, or education or health programmes, we are able to see the difference that our work, through the power of the Leeds United badge, really makes not only just on those individuals but our communities.

“Without funding we simply couldn’t deliver so many of our different initiatives in the region, so we would like to thank our partners, fundraisers and the fans that support us, and as we look to continue our programmes and grow in the future in such a time of need, we hope that you will come with us and help us do great work for the future of our city, and the future of our community.”

LUTV have created a special video to help tell the stories of just a few of our incredible participants, and you can watch the video here. Please see below further information around those showcased:

Noah attends our Cerebral Palsy, Frame and Amputee sessions and also takes part in our Pan Disability sessions every week. The progress Noah has made since attending these sessions has been incredible whilst he has also continued to make lots of friends whilst growing in confidence.

Pepe and Christine attend the Thursday morning Fit Generations sessions, which is a seated exercise class that also gives people from the older generation the chance to socialise with like-minded individuals at Elland Road. Both Pepe and Christine previously struggled with everyday movements but since attending they can now move more freely, touching their toes and lifting their arms above their heads.

Talia is from the Girls Academy and is part of our Under-16s, attending three sessions per week, whilst also committed to playing in fixtures every weekend to continue developing her skills and love for the sport. Talia is also part of our Female Coaching Club, helping to improve her knowledge and confidence.

Mustapha started as a participant on the Active Through Football (ATF) project, identifying himself as a leader in the Sudanese community running group sessions every week. Through ATF Mustapha was able to gain a Level One football qualification along with his safeguarding and first-aid qualifications, and he is now in the process of becoming a casual coach for the Leeds United Foundation.

If you are able to make a donation to help them continue the work they are doing, please text LUF to 70450 to donate £5.