Crawford Opens New Eckersley House at Leeds General Infirmary

The Yorkshire Evening Post reports that Michael Crawford has opened the brand new Eckersley House at Leeds General Infirmary. The Eckersley House is described as a "home from home for parents of youngsters in hospital," and the Sick Children's Trust, for which Crawford serves as president, fundraised £1.5 million for the completion of the building.

Crawford said to the Post, "I think it's the most extraordinary building and the speed that it's been done. It's taken 11 months to do, which is quicker than I had my apartment done and it's finished off better as well. I love seeing that families are kept together when children are suffering from serious illnesses and have to go in for treatment. When you can come and stay in an apartment right over from where your sick child is being treated, it helps towards the healing."

The House is reported to hold 22 bedrooms, a lounge, and kitchen. Another £200,000 is required to complete the Eckersley House, and the Sick Children's Trust will need to continue its fundraising at £1 million per year in order to keep it running. Those interested in donating should contact Vicki Smith at 0752 5424406 or email vicki@sickchildrenstrust.org. Donations may also be made at www.sickchildrenstrust.org.

Juggling both film and stage careers, Michael Crawford had established himself as one of London's finest leading men long before he opened as "the Phantom" in Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, beginning one of the most widely acclaimed and memorable performances in theatre history. Few stars are as widely connected to a single role as Crawford is to "the Phantom." His Los Angeles and Broadway performances earned an astonishing catalogue of critical recognition including the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the Los Angeles Dramalogue Award and Drama Critics Award.

Since leaving PHANTOM after nearly four years in the role in London, New York and Los Angeles; Crawford has become a multi-platinum recording artist and one of the world's most sought after concert and stage performers, playing to sold-out venues around the globe. In addition to his recent concert work, stage credits in London and on Broadway include Billy, Flowers for Algernon, Black Comedy, Dance of the Vampires, The Woman in White, and Barnum.

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