Memorial Bench for Janie

Leeds First Friday's Co-ordinator of 6 years, Janie Marie Swann was the figurehead bringing stability, humour and great kindness to what, under her watchful eye, became the UK's largest trans social. Hundreds have testified that it was she who was instrumental in introducing them to a path where they have flourished. She was a staunch advocate of the trans and wider LGBTQ+ community and worked tirelessly to ensure Leeds First Friday never ceased. It was only during the pandemic that the event took a breath, ready to return and flourish as soon as it was safe. She would say "Guess how many LFF's I've missed? None!". It was her life. Her friends. Her family.

In July 2022, she passed away from cancer. This was a private matter for Janie, and to many it was a complete shock.

Such is the enormous warm regard we have for Janie, and the relentless work to keep the wheels of Leeds First Friday turning as well as the hundreds of lives she positively impacted each month, we want to celebrate this true icon of the trans community! A permanent, physical reminder of her life, right in the heart of the Freedom Quarter of Leeds, with a custom-painted memorial bench.

We ask you to help us bring this project to life by contributing what you can. Leeds First Friday has been working with the wonderful people of Leeds Council to make this happen. They have been incredible and are keen to see it come to fruition. They are going to contribute a large sum towards the costs themselves!

A location on Lower Briggate has been selected for its ease of access. This is to the right of LFF venue Smokestack in front of Westrow House. The bench itself will be a metal bench, custom painted in progress flag stripes, featuring a plaque with the following words:

Janie Marie Swann

1968 - 2022

Inspirational voice of the LGBTQ+ community and kind heart of Leeds First Friday.

You elevated us and brought happiness with your loving humour and sarcasm.

Forever in our hearts.

Once we have hopefully achieved our target we will be able to order the bench which takes approximately three months to create and deliver. We plan to unveil the bench at the next nearest Leeds First Friday with an opportunity to photograph the bench with as many of us as possible.

Thank you to everyone who has been working behind the scenes to bring this wonderful project to life. This includes the fabulous people at Leeds Council: Councillor Hannah Bithell, Laura McNulty, Geoffrey Turnbull, David Ellis, and Baibre McKendrick, Jenny Canning, Rob Wilson from the Angels of Freedom and of course, the Leeds First Friday team.

Thank you!

Grai

Leeds First Friday Coordinator

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We want to be clear about where your money is going.

Leeds First Friday is an informal social and does not have a bank account. All funds will be stored in GoFundMe. When requested by Leeds Council, funds will be withdrawn to an account under the LFF Coordinators name and immediately transferred to Leeds Council's own bank account to pay for the bench, painting, plaque and installation. All donations are protected from fraud under the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee. Receipts from those transactions will be kept and filed with Leeds Council.

If there is any positive difference between the amount fundraised and the final bench cost, we will donate the excess to Mermaids - a charity that supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families.