LEEDS North West MP Alex Sobel has congratulated local charity Mermaids on being named Charity of the Year.

Alex Sobel MP, met with Mermaids at their Yeadon office on being awarded the prestigious title at the recent Bank of London Rainbow Honours 2022.

Mermaids is a charity which has been supporting transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families since 1995. It is one of the leading LGBTQ+ charities in the UK.

Alex said: “I was extremely pleased to call into Mermaids and congratulate them on their win. As well as being named Charity of the Year, they have also been awarded £10,000 which will go to support even more local people within LGBTQ+ community.

"The charity empowers thousands of people with its secure online communities, local community groups, helpline services, web resources, events, and residential weekends. They also educate and inform wider society on gender identity by helping professionals accommodate and reassure gender-diverse young people.”

He added: “Mermaids plays a vital role in ensuring that the local LGBT+ community can live their lives with equality, dignity, and respect.”