Businesses attend an ‘in conversation event’ with CEO Gary Hetherington

Leading businesses from across Yorkshire attended the Leeds Rhinos Foundation Friends launch event at Irwin Mitchell’s offices at Wellington place on Monday 8th June.

Leeds Rhinos Foundation is the official charity of the Leeds Rhinos that supports many community projects in and around Leeds – committed to ‘changing lives through sport’.

The Friends initiative is a new way of giving by committing to a yearly donation of £500 and companies will be able to see the direct influence their donations have on the charities work and in return will be eligible for a range of benefits.

Peter Morris, partner at Irwin Mitchell, Leeds says: “The Friends donation is a relatively small amount of investment for businesses, and offers a great return in terms of benefits such as networking opportunities and match day hospitality draws, but most importantly collectively the money will be used for doing good in the community through sport. 

“Irwin Mitchell is delighted to host the first networking event and we were delighted to see so many companies attending and signing up. First off the block were REDS True Barbecue and FHPP Ltd with more to follow.”

Leeds Rhinos' chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “I’m doing a job I love so I feel like I’ve never done a day’s work in my life. I run a business with sport at its heart. We believe that skills required in sport are transferable to success off the field and our community initiatives prove that.” 

Davide Longo, general  manager of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation said: “Irwin Mitchell has supported the Leeds Rugby Foundation for five years and we are very grateful for their support in hosting this event and ensuring our new Friends initiative is given a fitting introduction to the business community.

“Together we have had continued success through our ‘Outdoor Adventures’ annual residential camp, our increasingly successful Industry Day held at Irwin Mitchell offices to learn practical life skills in the ‘workplace’ environment and our annual Children’s Day held at Headingley. These joint ventures are an example of the wide ranging approach we take to engaging and inspiring through the power of sport, health and education.”

If you would like to join the 'Friends of the Foundation' scheme or get more information, please click here

Click here to watch a short video from the launch event highlighting the importance of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation Friends initiative.