A host of high-profile Yorkshire women have stepped out at Elland Road in Leeds to launch the International Women’s Day 2026 campaign of women’s employment charity Smart Works Leeds.

The event brought together celebrities, Yorkshire business leaders and key supporters to mark the start of its biggest campaign to date.

In attendance were Smart Works Leeds ambassador and Coronation Street star Natalie Anderson, broadcaster Christine Talbot, Lindsey Burrow and The Apprentice 2024 winner Rachel Woolford, alongside Yorkshire businesses and community partners, all keen to champion Smart Works Leeds’s mission to support unemployed women in Yorkshire back into work through interview clothing and coaching.

Smart Work Leeds International Women’s Day campaign is a month-long programme of events across Yorkshire, designed to celebrate women, raise vital funds and spotlight the charity’s life-changing employment services.

Bernadette Gledhill, Rachel Peru, Stephanie Smith, Tracy Fletcher, Christine Talbot, Felicity Macnamara and Natalie Anderson

placeholder image — Bernadette Gledhill, Rachel Peru, Stephanie Smith, Tracy Fletcher, Christine Talbot, Felicity Macnamara and Natalie Anderson

Smart Works Leeds chair Tracy Fletcher said: “The turnout at our launch event has been incredibly encouraging and shows just how much support there is across Yorkshire for the work we do.

“It was fantastic to see so many businesses, partners and familiar faces come together to help us kick off what will be our biggest International Women’s Day campaign yet.”

Supporters can look forward to a breakfast panel at First Direct Arena, a padel event led by The Padel Network, a fashion sale at Bradford’s Darley Street Market, and a networking event at Yorkshire Building Society.

There will also be a spectacular collective abseil at the Cow and Calf Rocks in Ilkley, spearheaded by journalist, broadcaster and presenter Christine Talbot; model, podcaster and body confidence campaigner Rachel Peru; model and pro-age activist Annie Stirk, and model and fashion events organiser Bernadette Gledhill.

Emily Uddin, Lindsey Burrow, Tracy Fletcher and Deborah De Vittoris

Together they form Primed For Life - a collective promoting the visibility and wellbeing of women of all ages.

Christine said: “I honestly can’t wait to take up this challenge, especially to highlight such a good cause,” said Christine. “Smart Works is all about making the most of opportunities, empowering women and, to an extent, stepping into the unknown - as making that leap off the Cow and Calf rocks will be.”

The abseil takes place on Sunday, March 8. Sign up here: Celebrate International Women’s Day with Smart Works Leeds | Home | Powered by Givergy

The Smart Works Leeds International Women’s Day 2026 campaign is supported by headline sponsor Leeds First Direct Bank Arena, media partner Heart Yorkshire and PR and events specialist Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon.

RTL: Rachel Woolford, Lily Fields, Christine Talbot, Emily Uddin, Matt Jameson and Deborah De Vittoris.

Businesses, individuals and supporters are encouraged to get involved ahead of March, whether by attending events, partnering with the campaign or making a donation to support Smart Works Leeds’ employment services.