A Child Friendly Leeds Christmas event has snowballed after regional construction firms responded to an urgent appeal for donations.

The Child Friendly Leeds team work in partnership with their network of Ambassadors to offer a range of opportunities and experiences to families supported by children's social care and third sector ambassador partners. 

This year, Leeds College of Building (LCB) offered to host an event for Child Friendly Leeds and appealed to construction partners for help.

Thanks to the generosity of the construction employers, over 50 pre-school children met Santa in his magical grotto for a photo, a colouring book and a selection of festive sweets, including a chocolate selection box.

LCB CEO & Principal Nikki Davis said: 

“This fantastic event came about after a chance conversation with Cllr Helen Hayden. Initially, it was supposed to be a small event in line with community hubs, but our partners came out in such force to support us that we’ve been able to make it much bigger and better than we ever imagined.

“An enormous thanks goes to our amazing long-term industry employers. They support LCB every day with unrivalled student opportunities, apprenticeships, material donations, and work placements, and this is yet another example of the construction industry stepping up to support both the college and our wider community.”
 

Event sponsors and donors included GMI Construction Group, Caddick Construction, Powell Industries, TICA, G Beverley & Sons, Bowmer & Kirkland, and Yorkshire Independent Roof Training Group.

As well as the sweets donated to the event, the firms also bought a further 100 selection boxes that were distributed to children across Leeds community hubs. 

Supporting the heartwarming event were Executive Member for Children and Families at Leeds City Council, Cllr Helen Hayden, and MP for Leeds Central & Headingley, Alex Sobel MP. Cllr Hayden said:

“This is a fantastic example of Child Friendly Leeds in action; showing how partnership working can create joyful opportunities for children and families across our city. 

“Leeds College of Building and its sponsors have come together to deliver a festive event that not only brings fun and creativity but also strengthens community connections. This is a great demonstration of how, by working together, we can make Leeds the best place for children to grow up.”

Leeds College of Building (LCB) is the only further education college in the UK dedicated to construction and the built environment. Over 5,000 students attend a comprehensive range of more than 200 courses related to construction and the built environment. LCB also trains nearly 3,000 apprentices across all areas of provision, working with around 800 employers across the UK.