Stars backing A&E campaign

Jodie Whittaker, who grew up in Skelmanthorpe, has starred in numerous TV dramas including the ITV hit crime thriller Broadchurch.

Her late nephew and Emmerdale child actor Harry Whittaker, three, received treatment at the hospital.

Jodie said: “The HRI needs to be protected because of Ward 18, the children’s assessment unit.

“This is where people like Sue Richter and the community nursing team are going above and beyond to help children, like my nephew Harry.

“Without this, my family and so many others would be without vital care and support.”

Also providing personal tales and endorsements of Huddersfield Royal Infirmary are Sir Patrick Stewart, singer Georgia Harrup, author Joanne Harris, poet Simon Armitage, Huddersfield Town legend Andy Booth and the Giants’ Eorl Crabtree.

There are also testimonies from sound system creator Paul Huxtable, screenwriter Dan Cadan and theatre director Amanda Huxtable.

Olivia said: “I wanted to create a strong engaging series which related directly to the town. “As I photographed and interviewed each person it really started to snowball, Sir Patrick Stewart suggested I shoot Andy Booth, Lena Headey put me in touch with Dan Cadan, Jodie Whittaker drove up from London especially for the photo shoot and it was clear how strongly people feel about the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.”

HRI Love Stories, a collaboration with the Sharp publicity agency, runs at Mallinsons Brewery Taphouse, 5 Market Walk in Huddersfield town centre, until September 22. Admission is free.