The Leeds-born entrepreneur, pictured left with business partner Deirdre Bounds, made the visit to Eccup to help raise awareness of the charity's work.

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Mr Hopkins is promoting the PartiesAroundtheWorld.co.uk (PAW) website which has recently named the trust as its final charity cause.

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Mr Hopkins appeared in Secret Millionaire in 2008 when he lived among locals in the deprived former north-east mining village of Easington Colliery.

He helped launch the website, which raises money for charity through children's birthday parties, earlier this year.

Guests who choose the 'Adorable Donkeys' party package will be helping the trust provide unique donkey-riding therapy to thousands of children with special needs and disabilities at centres around the country.

Paula Godfree, the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust regional fundraising assistant, said: "This is a unique online gift-giving facility which allows guests at children's parties to make donations towards a charity instead of buying material gifts."

* For further information or to host a party at the centre in Leeds, call 0113 2619249 or visit: www.elisabethsvendsentrust.org.uk