Community raise funds to remember Billy

Customers and staff at Paran’s Mini Market in Rothwell raised £200 for Forward Leeds in memory of Billy Ellis who died in September from alcohol poisoning.

Billy had worked at the shop on Haigh Road for four years but had recently left to help his mother in her launderette.

The money raised will go towards Forward Leeds’ sustained recovery hub 5 WAYS @ the Recovery Academy.

Owner of Paran’s Mini Market Ranjit “Jay” Singh said: “We all decided to raise some money in Billy’s name for the charity that was trying to help him with his illness. Everyone around here knew Billy and it was a real shock to us when he passed away.”

Jay continued: “He was well-known and well liked locally. He’d help anybody. When he worked in the shop he’d even help pensioners by offering to drop their shopping home for them when they were struggling.

“Even after he stopped working here he would always come into the shop, to say hello and have a chinwag. He’s deeply missed in the area.”

5 WAYS Manager Jo Byrden said: “At Forward Leeds we’ve been touched by the generosity of Billy’s friends in raising this money. We will make sure the money is used to directly help and support people on their recovery journeys from substance misuse.”

(Picture show from left to right Baljit Kaur, Susan Hazel and Jay Singh of Paran’s with Jo Byrden of Forward Leeds.)