'I’m not getting out until we hit our target': Why a Leeds man is spending 3 days trapped in a bathtub
Chris Sylvester, founder of Leeds social enterprise Getting Clean, is spending up to 60 hours trapped in a bathtub in City Square to raise £50,000 for local addiction recovery services
A Leeds man with lived experience of drug addiction, prison, and homelessness is spending up to three days trapped in a bathtub in the middle of City Square to raise £50,000 for recovery services.
Chris Sylvester, founder of Armley-based social enterprise Getting Clean, launched the ambitious ‘TUBTrap’ challenge today (August 7).
He will remain in the tub until midnight on Sunday - or until the £50,000 fundraising target is met through soap sales and public donations.
The campaign uses the visual stunt to shine a light on the feeling of being trapped in cycles of addiction and crime, while showcasing the power of employment and community support in turning lives around.
Speaking from City Square, Chris said: "I’m not getting out of this tub until we hit our target. I know what it feels like to be trapped. Addiction leaves people feeling hopeless and unable to see a way out.
"Recovery changed my life. This challenge is about raising awareness, creating opportunities and helping others access the support they need to get clean and stay clean."
Getting Clean employs individuals in recovery to manufacture and sell handmade natural soap, creating practical pathways back into work.
The organisation pledges 50% of its company profits directly to recovery initiatives.
If the full £50,000 milestone is reached during the event, a £20,000 donation will be made directly to local treatment service Forward Leeds to fund lived-experience, peer-led recovery projects across the city.
‘A powerful reminder’
Forward Leeds Director Helen Cook praised the stunt, stating: "Chris's challenge is a powerful reminder that recovery is about breaking free from situations that can leave people feeling trapped.
"The money Chris raises won’t be used within our core service. We intend to use the money raised to support lived-experience recovery support projects in the city."
Members of the public and local businesses can support the campaign in a number of ways over the weekend.
Passers-by can buy handmade bars directly from the team set up in City Square, or contribute to a special "Pay It Forward" scheme.
The initiative allows supporters to purchase a "First Day Pack" - containing essential items like soap, a toothbrush, and peer-support resources—for someone leaving prison or entering treatment at a critical point in their recovery journey.
Local businesses are also being encouraged to back the fundraiser by placing bulk corporate orders or arranging corporate gifting.