Players from the Leeds Rhinos men’s, women’s, and netball teams continued their Christmas tradition this week by visiting Leeds Children’s Hospital to bring joy and gifts to young patients.
This year, the visit was made even more special thanks to a generous donation from Amazon, who have supplied a variety of items, including portable DVD players, toys, baby products and other essentials, to brighten the holiday season for the children and their families.
The Foundation’s partnership with Amazon began when the new LBA5 Fulfilment Centre first opened, and it has blossomed into a meaningful collaboration aimed at giving back to the local community.
This initiative aligns with the Leeds Rhinos’ Christmas Cracker campaign, which encourages players to donate their kits to the Leeds Rhinos Foundation. These items are then sold to fans, with proceeds being used to match-fund Amazon’s donation and purchase additional gifts such as selection boxes, toiletries, books, and Wi-Fi dongles.
Gareth Cook, Head of Community and Engagement, said: “Our hospital visits have been a tradition for nearly 15 years, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who helps make them possible. Collaborating closely with Lisa Beaumont and her team at the hospital, we ensure the gifts are thoughtfully chosen based on what the young people wish for. During these visits, our staff and players also spend meaningful time with families on the ward.
“The Christmas Cracker event, organised by Leeds Rhinos Foundation and the club, has always been funded through supporter purchases of training kit bundles from the club shop. This year, thanks to the generous involvement of Amazon, we can now donate some high-value items as well.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to all the players from the rugby league and netball departments for their continued support of this initiative.
Jess Mayho, Business Development Executive at Leeds Rhinos Foundation also commented: “On behalf of our entire team, we extend our gratitude to Amazon for their generous gift donation. Their thoughtful support makes a meaningful impact, and we are truly grateful for their commitment to our mission of bringing joy to young patients.
“We look forward to seeing our partnership with Amazon LBA5 grow, creating even more opportunities for positive change together.”
The combined efforts of the Leeds Rhinos, Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Amazon highlights the power of community partnerships in making a difference during the festive season.