A Wortley family is holding a Hallowe’en-themed car wash to raise money to support a legal challenge to stop houses being built on sports pitches.
The car wash is the idea of Katherine Turner, who is raising money to support the TV Harrison Action Group’s campaign to stop Leeds City Council building up to 60 houses on the pitch off Oldfield Lane.
Volunteers will be dressed in Hallowe’en outfits on Saturday 31 October from 9am to 5pm at The Queen pub in Wortley. Cost is £10 for a socially distanced wash and mini vac, with all funds to the TV Harrison campaign.
The campaign is looking to raise £4,600 by the end of the month to help fund part of its legal challenge to Leeds City Council.
Mrs Turner said:
“Green spaces are really important to me as a mum. My daughter is aged 12 and I live in Wortley and all I can see are green spaces disappearing. That field should be kept for what it was designed for, children playing football and for community use.
“It’s an area where There isn’t the infrastucture around here for more housing.”
Booked time slots for the car wash are available on 07931 757261.
Campaigners are also selling TV Harrison calendars and serving refreshments on the pitches on the same day as part of a wider community event. They’re also running a raffle to raise £500 and selling T-shirts.
A number of community activities had been taking place on the pitch, and the previously disused area has been tidied and made useable by community members. Campaigners had also collected a petition with more than 4,000 names on.
The TV Harrison Action Group’s online crowdfunder can be found here.
The site was originally nicknamed Wortley’s Wembley as it was used by Leeds City Boys football team, which included future Leeds United stars such as David Batty, Brian Deane and Noel Whelan.
Leeds City Council is hoping to build up to 60 local authority properties on the site, arguing there are lengthy waiting lists for housing.
Check out WLD’s ongoing coverage of this issue here.