Anneka Rice returned to Leeds to visit a charity she helped 23 years ago.
Leeds Mencap, an independent, local charity that supports people with learning disabilities, featured on the Challenge Anneka television programme 23 years ago. Anneka Rice led local businesses, trades and volunteers in the total refurbishment of a burnt out school that has been home to the local charity ever since.
Having now outgrown this building and with waiting lists for all services, Leeds Mencap has started work on a new centre in the East End Park area of Leeds.
Martin Staniforth, Chair of Leeds Mencap Trustees, said: “it was perfect timing for Anneka to visit us again, to help us celebrate our successes over the last 23 years and also to mark the start of our next challenge, making our new building a reality”.
Back in a hard hat, Anneka looked ready to help out once again on the site where work has already begun to build Leeds Mencap’s new centre. Set to be completed in Spring 2016, it will provide space for people with learning disabilities from across Leeds, for the local community and for a new community nursery. By meeting a range of needs, it is expected that this new centre will benefit more than 2,000 Leeds residents every year.
Anneka Rice said: “’it was thrilling to return to Leeds Mencap and see how the charity has grown since we were there with Challenge Anneka 23 years ago. I wish them all the luck in the world for the future. The Challenge Anneka programme was involved with over 60 projects, many of which are celebrating big birthdays this year. It is wonderful to see how the legacy of the programme continues.”
Leeds Mencap continues with its Space for me campaign to make the new centre a reality. The charity has launched a Buy a Brick scheme to raise the remaining £500,000 needed for the project.
For more information or to support the campaign, please visit www.leedsmencap.org.uk and click the buy a brick link.
