Posthumous honour for Heselden

ENTREPRENEUR and philanthropist Jimi Heselden is to be made a freeman of Leeds.

Mr Heselden, chairman of Leeds-based HESCO Bastion, will have his name placed alongside previous recipients of freedom of the city at the civic hall.

He died earlier this year in an accident near his home at Wetherby.

A special council meeting will be held in January to pay tribute to Heselden, who was greatly involved in Leeds life, especially with his charity work.
 
Throughout his life he was generous to a large range of charities including Help for Heroes, St Gemma’s and Martin House Hospice’s and the Leeds Community Foundation, which received £23m alone, £10m of which was donated earlier this year.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Jim McKenna, said: “Jimi was an amazing man who apart from being a real success story for Leeds was also remarkably selfless and generous giving millions to local charities and other worthy causes.

“Everyone who knew Jimi will remember his quiet manner, good nature and tremendous pride in being from Leeds. He will be hugely missed.”