Show creates fantastic fashion fusion for charity

Caption: West North West Homes Leeds customers and staff pound the catwalks in aid of charity

Forget the latest shows in Milan or Paris, west and north west Leeds is the place to be for fashion – as local people proved in a catwalk show that also raised cash for charity.

Wearing clothing donated from local Asian and African communities, Leeds College of Art and Design, the Leeds Chinese Community School and ROCO Dramatic Society, it was actually West North West Homes Leeds customers and staff members who pounded the runways.

All recruited through the WNWH tenant magazine, the models taking part were professionally trained over a period of six weeks by a choreographer.

West North West Homes Leeds, one of the three Arms Length Management Organisations that manages and maintains council housing in Leeds, hosted an event at The Village Hotel, Headingley, to celebrate diversity in West and North West Leeds.

The event titled, Fusion, was developed by West North West Homes Leeds and sponsored by contractors, Frank Haslam Milan and Kier Building Maintenance. The programme introduced the audience to world fashion, music, food and dance, finishing with a disco and an opportunity for customers to meet people of different backgrounds from their area.

The entertainment packed night was a black tie affaire and brought together over 150 West North West Homes customers from a range of backgrounds, with audience members ranging from the age of 10 to over 75.

Other entertainment on the night included vibrant Chinese dancers, DAZL youth entertainers and street dancers, Sitar and Tabla music and Fuego Latino Dancers, who got audience members involved in a salsa demonstration.

Almost £1,500 was raised to be shared between St George’s Crypt, Leeds and MacMillan Cancer Support.

Claire Warren, chief executive of West North West Homes Leeds, said:
"West North West homes Leeds is immensely proud of the success of the Fashion Event. The dedication of our staff and tenants was evident in this event and everyone enjoyed a fantastic evening.
“he hard work behind the scenes was amazing and demonstrated the organisation's and its partners commitment to raising awareness around diversity, difference and working together."

Kerry McHarg of Kier said:
“The evening was a great success reflecting the hard work by the organisers and those who took part in it – we are proud to have sponsored the event at which equality and diversity were the definite winners on the night.”

Michelle Regan from FHM said:“We were delighted to support this event, and proud to have played a part in its success.
“We’ve been working in these parts of Leeds for some time, and understand the importance of recognising and celebrating the diversity of these communities.
“That’s why it’s great to be able to support this event.”

ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact;
Michael Molcher, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 224 3937
Email: michael.molcher@leeds.gov.uk

Road safety book teaches children how to deal with ‘risky roads’

Caption: Kerby the road safety hedgehog with youngsters from West End Lane Primary School in Horsforth and Carolyn Heaton of Irwin Mitchell Solicitors

Caption: Kerby the road safety hedgehog with youngsters from West End Lane Primary School, Horsforth

Can you help Kerby get to his Grandma’s house safely? That was the question that pupils at a primary school in Leeds were asked today during the launch of a brand new road safety story book called ‘Risky Roads’.

“Kerby is very excited; it is his grandma’s birthday!
He is going with his daddy to take her a birthday present.
They will have to cross three VERY busy roads on the way.
Can you help Kerby to get there safely?”

The book, written by senior road safety officer Adele Wadsworth, is designed to present vital road safety messages to young children in a fun and engaging way, whilst complimenting the work that the road safety team do to help reduce the number of children killed and seriously injured on our roads each year.

***************** MEDIA OPPORTUNITY ******************
Date and time: Monday, 30 March, 1pm
Venue: Horsforth West End Primary School, West End Lane, Horsforth
Leeds, LS18 5JP
Event: Launch of road safety book ‘Risky Roads’. The story of Kerby the
Hedgehog’s trip to his grandma’s will be read to reception pupils
for the very first time. Kerby (life size mascot) will be in
attendance and available for photographs. Rebecca Prosser (road
safety manager),Adele Wadsworth (author) and Carolyn Heaton (Irwin
Mitchell Solicitors)will also be available for photographs and/or
interviews.
****************** MEDIA OPPORTUNITY ******************
The ‘Risky Roads’ project has been kindly sponsored by Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, ensuring that every primary school in Leeds will receive a free copy. The book covers important topics such as the importance of holding hands, the Green Cross Code, safe places to cross and be bright to be seen.

Councillor Carter, leader and executive board member for travel and transport said:
“This book is an excellent way to start to teach young children life long and potentially life saving skills.

“Everybody has a responsibility for making our roads safer. Parents, schools, the council and drivers all have an important role to play in preventing the devastation that road traffic collisions cause.”

Carolyn Heaton, associate solicitor at Irwin Mitchell said:
"It is vital that every child has the opportunity to learn the basics of road safety from a very young age, and thanks to this book they can do so in a fun and interesting way. It's great to be involved in such an educational scheme and we hope that it is of real benefit to schoolchildren across the city. We often deal with cases involving victims of road crashes and see the devastation that they can cause to families. Hopefully this initiative will go some way to preventing such incidents in the future."

Rebecca Prosser, road safety manager, Leeds City Council said:
“The latest statistics show that 310 children were injured on roads in Leeds in 2008 - this is 310 children too many. ‘Risky Roads’ is one of many initiatives that we deliver to local primary schools in a bid to provide our young people with the road safety skills necessary to stay safe as road users.

“It is hoped that this new book will reinforce vital safety messages taught at home by parents and will also highlight the dangers of traffic to this vulnerable age group.”

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact;
Claire Macklam, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1578
Email: claire.macklam@leeds.gov.uk