Ronnie the Rhino Opens Pudsey Charity Shop | Forget Me Not 2026

Key Points

• Leeds Rhinos mascot Ronnie the Rhino will attend the opening of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice’s first shop in Leeds, located in Pudsey on Saturday, 25 April.
• The shop occupies the former Halifax bank building on Market Place, Pudsey, offering pre-loved clothing, books, toys, homeware, and more.
• The first 20 customers on opening day receive goody bags.
• Charity shopping expert Jen Graham (@charityshopgirl), with over 200,000 Instagram and TikTok followers, will share rummaging and styling tips; she featured on ITV’s This Morning and stars in the upcoming BBC series Shift the Thrift.
• Jen Graham began sharing charity shop finds five years ago, encouraged by her teenage daughter, focusing on styling, sourcing, and costs amid rising sustainable fashion trends.
• Jen Graham stated: “Charity shops are my beating heart, I absolutely love encouraging others to embrace them, not only because they’re an incredible way to give pre-loved clothes a second life but more importantly, because they support such amazing causes, in this case the incredible work that Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice do!”
• Ronnie the Rhino will join Jen Graham and Forget Me Not’s mascot Russell Bear at the event.
• Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice supports babies and children with life-shortening conditions and their families across West Yorkshire; last year, it aided 134 individuals from Leeds at Russell House in Huddersfield or in homes.
• Andrea Titherington-Kay, Forget Me Not’s head of retail, said: “Anybody who loves their fashion will be hearing lots about fast fashion and the need for us to be more sustainable in our fashion choices. More and more people are looking to charity shops like ours as great places to do that and find unique and special items at a budget friendly price. So it’s a thrill for us to welcome Jen, a true expert in finding the style in charity shops, for the opening of our first ever shop in Leeds.”

Pudsey (The Leeds Times) April 21, 2026 –

Why is Ronnie the Rhino opening a charity shop in Pudsey?

Pudsey, Leeds, sees Leeds Rhinos mascot Ronnie the Rhino scheduled to appear on Saturday, 25 April, for the launch of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice’s inaugural shop in the city.

The event marks a key expansion for the charity, which aids local babies and children facing life-shortening conditions along with their families across West Yorkshire.

The new outlet occupies the former Halifax bank building on Market Place in Pudsey. It stocks a broad range of pre-loved goods, such as clothing, books, toys, and homeware. Organisers plan goody bags for the first 20 customers attending the open day.

What support does Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice provide in Leeds?

Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice delivers care to local babies and children with life-shortening conditions and their families throughout West Yorkshire.

In the past year, the charity assisted 134 children, parents, siblings, and grandparents from Leeds. Services occur either at the Russell House facility in Huddersfield or directly in families’ homes.

This Pudsey shop represents the charity’s first retail presence in Leeds, aiming to generate funds through sales of donated items while promoting sustainable shopping.

Who is Jen Graham and why is she at the Pudsey shop opening?

Charity shopping expert Jen Graham, known online as @charityshopgirl, joins Ronnie the Rhino for the occasion. Graham boasts over 200,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok, where she shares finds from charity shops. Her content includes styling advice, item sources, and prices, aligning with the surge in pre-loved clothing and sustainable fashion.

As reported in coverage from local outlets, Graham started posting five years ago, spurred by her teenage daughter. She appeared in a styling segment on ITV’s This Morning and features in the forthcoming BBC TV series Shift the Thrift.

Jen Graham commented:

“Charity shops are my beating heart, I absolutely love encouraging others to embrace them, not only because they’re an incredible way to give pre-loved clothes a second life but more importantly, because they support such amazing causes, in this case the incredible work that Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice do!”

What role does Ronnie the Rhino play in the event?

Ronnie the Rhino, the Leeds Rhinos rugby league club’s mascot, adds a local sports touch to the opening. The appearance draws on the club’s community ties in Leeds, where rugby enjoys strong support. Ronnie joins forces with Graham and the charity’s own mascot, Russell Bear, to attract visitors to Market Place.

This collaboration highlights intersections between sports fandom and charitable efforts in the region.

How does the shop promote sustainable fashion?

Andrea Titherington-Kay, head of retail at Forget Me Not, addressed the event’s focus on fashion trends. She stated:

“Anybody who loves their fashion will be hearing lots about fast fashion and the need for us to be more sustainable in our fashion choices. More and more people are looking to charity shops like ours as great places to do that and find unique and special items at a budget friendly price. So it’s a thrill for us to welcome Jen, a true expert in finding the style in charity shops, for the opening of our first ever shop in Leeds.”

Graham’s presence offers rummaging and styling tips, reinforcing the shop’s appeal for bargain hunters seeking distinctive pieces without high costs.

Where exactly is the new Forget Me Not shop located?

The venue sits in Pudsey’s Market Place, repurposing the ex-Halifax bank site. This central spot in the Leeds suburb positions it for foot traffic from locals and visitors. Pudsey, part of the Leeds metropolitan area, hosts community events and markets, making it suitable for a charity retail debut.

When does the shop opening take place and what happens there?

The launch occurs on Saturday, 25 April. Attendees can expect mascot appearances by Ronnie the Rhino and Russell Bear, alongside Graham’s expert guidance.

The goody bags for early arrivals serve as an incentive to boost turnout.

This setup combines fun, education on thrifting, and direct support for the hospice through purchases.

Why choose Pudsey for Forget Me Not’s first Leeds shop?

Pudsey forms part of the broader Leeds community served by Forget Me Not, with many of the 134 Leeds-linked individuals from last year residing nearby.

The location taps into local demand for affordable, unique goods amid economic pressures and eco-conscious shifts.

The charity’s expansion into retail builds on its care model, channeling proceeds back to families.

The event underscores ongoing community involvement in West Yorkshire, where children’s hospices rely on such initiatives.

Coverage from regional sources, including initial reports on the charity’s plans, confirms the shop’s role in sustaining operations at Russell House and home-based support.

Background of the Development

Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice established Russell House in Huddersfield to provide specialised care for babies and children with life-shortening conditions across West Yorkshire. The organisation has grown its reach, supporting 134 Leeds-area individuals last year through hospice stays and home visits. This Pudsey shop launch extends retail efforts, following successful outlets elsewhere, to fund core services amid rising needs.

Leeds Rhinos’ mascot involvement reflects longstanding sports-charity partnerships in the region, while Jen Graham’s profile amplifies visibility for sustainable shopping tied to hospice work. The former Halifax bank site in Market Place became available recently, enabling this timely debut.

Predictions: How This Development Can Affect Local Shoppers and Families

Local shoppers in Pudsey and Leeds gain access to budget-friendly pre-loved items, including clothing and homeware, potentially lowering costs amid inflation. Families supported by Forget Me Not benefit from increased shop revenue, which sustains care for 134-plus individuals yearly, including home visits. Rugby fans and sustainable fashion enthusiasts see more events blending sports, thrifting, and charity, possibly boosting attendance at similar initiatives.

The shop’s presence encourages wider adoption of second-hand shopping, reducing fast fashion reliance in West Yorkshire communities.