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Joe Donnohue

Stunned Leeds United winger Jack Harrison gives back as hat-trick shirt raffled for £30,000

Earlier this month, Leeds United supporter Rebekah Sheldon generously donated to Jack Harrison's JustGiving pledge in order to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Rebekah - whose family are lifelong Leeds United supporters - was chosen at random from over 2,000 donations to be presented with Harrison's matchworn hat-trick shirt by the Whites player himself.

During a meet-and-greet with representatives from the Yorkshire Cancer Research charity, Harrison chatted and posed for pictures with Rebekah and her family, who were delighted to have won the competition.

"I couldn't believe it. When I got the email I thought it was one of those fake [emails] so we looked it up online to make sure it was legit. I've never won anything in my life, it's the first thing I've ever won," Sheldon said.

Disbelief was not exclusive to competition winner Rebekah either - Harrison himself stated he couldn't quite believe the sum that had been raised.

"I was really surprised, I was expecting maybe around £10,000 or something like that. To get over £30,000 was incredible, I wasn't expecting that at all," the Leeds wideman said.

He also spoke of his personal experience with cancer, why Yorkshire Cancer Research was such an important charity to him and the decision behind auctioning off his matchworn shirt from the 3-2 win over West Ham earlier this month.

"I had some unfortunate experiences with cancer and knowing some people who had unfortunately passed away.

Jack Harrison poses with the Yorkshire Cancer Research logo at Leeds United's stadium Elland Road (Leeds United)

"I would've liked to keep the shirt," Harrison joked. "But I'm more than happy to give it away especially for a good cause like that, to raise money for the charity."

Harrison's shirt eventually raised in excess of £30,000 which will go towards screening, clinical trials and early diagnosis, says Juliet Glendinning of Yorkshire Cancer Research.

"It's been absolutely fantastic for Yorkshire Cancer Research but also the people of Yorkshire who are affected by cancer and to know that someone of that profile, a player for Leeds United is looking to help raise funds for such an important cause.

"It was great news to learn about it and even greater news to learn about the amount raised," she said.

Harrison's initiative is the latest in a long line of charitable endeavours undertaken by Leeds United and the players at the club.

Patrick Bamford's recent centenary shirt auction raised close to £30,000 for Andy’s Man Club, Eco-Schools and the Leeds United Foundation.

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