To celebrate World Alzheimer’s Day the Leeds United Foundation hosted an exclusive design competition over the last few weeks, inviting residents from the care homes they work with through the Fit Generations programme to showcase their creativity.

The older participants were challenged to design a new Leeds United kit with the support of coaches from the club’s official charity, with entries received from care homes across Leeds and the surrounding areas and club legend Lucas Radebe given the task of judging the designs and selecting an overall winner.

The competition coincided with World Alzheimer’s Day, which took place on Monday 21st September. The annual awareness event is dedicated to educating people around Alzheimer’s diseases and other dementias whilst also reducing stigma and promoting the support needed.

The Foundation works in a number of local care homes to help staff and volunteers keep residents strong and motivated through their shared love of Leeds United. This competition provided participants with an opportunity to be creative, giving them the chance to enjoy doing something different in a fun environment – a fitting way to mark World Alzheimer’s Day, a disease staff at care homes are managing 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

After looking through the wide range of designs, Lucas selected Newfield Lodge Care Home’s entry as the overall winner.

As their prize, Newfield Lodge received a Leeds United shirt signed by the former player, which was presented to the residents and staff at the care home.

Fit Generations is a weekly chair-based exercise programme delivered at Elland Road and individual care homes, helping older adults work towards improved mobility, balance, coordination and strength.

Sessions consist of 30 minutes of light exercise spread over an hour, allowing time for conversation and socialising. To learn more about the programme, or to book, please email [email protected].