Leeds' clubbers have rallied around a beloved bouncer following news of his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Revellers and hospitality workers were shocked to hear the news of hospitality legend Salahuddin Sharif's diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of primary liver cancer.
Friends and family moved quickly to rally around him, with one creating a gofundme fundraiser to support his final wish - to visit his brother in America before he passes away.
The page was set up Jodie Osakwe, a general manager at Individual Restaurants, and has already raised over £5,000.
The fundraiser reads: "Our beautiful friend Sharif, a true gentleman, Leeds hospitality legend and our head doorman of 20 years has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
"We are still all in shock and still can’t believe it.It has been truly amazing to watch all Sharif’s family & friends come together at this difficult time to ensure he has all the support and care he deserves.
"Sharif would really love to be able to visit his brother’s family in Tampa Florida and Jodie Osakwe has therefore decided to create this page to see if together we can fundraise this money to give him this opportunity while we can.
"We would need to ensure he is travelling first class to make sure he is comfortable, and his care needs are being met on this long flight.
"I know Sharif is loved by many in Leeds, whose lives he has touched with his infectious smile and warm greeting. Any money raised that is surplus to this initial goal will be given to his family.Thank you in advance to everyone who donates, no matter how small.
"Let’s show Sharif just how much respect we all have for this amazing guy."
Since being set up last month, the fundraiser has been shared many times on social media including on Leeds' Mint Festival Facebook page.
Donations have been pouring in, large and small, with the fundraiser now just over a third of the way towards its £15,000 goal.
And comments of solidarity have also been coming in thick and fast from those who've met and come to love him as an iconic part of the Leeds' nightclub scene over the years.
Gerald Acheampong, who donated £100 to the fundraiser, said: "There are very few like this man. He is a gentleman in the truest meaning of that word . Please give what you can if you can."
Whilst Filip Wron, donating £10, added: "Sharif is Leeds legend and all clubbers than know him should help! Sending Love to Sharif and family!"
If you'd like to donate to the fundraiser to help Sharif get to America, you can do so here.
News
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Georgina Pellant -
15th May 2021 
