Inspirational people, touching community events and kind souls who made a difference
People can often be heard to say how it seems to be bad news every time they turn on the TV or radio or scroll through the daily headlines on their mobile phone. Hull Live begs to differ.
During this season of goodwill, and as another year draws to a close, it is the perfect time to look back over the past 12 months through the many – and believe us, there have been plenty – good news stories that we have been pleased to feature on our website and in the pages of the Hull Daily Mail. Below is just a small sample of the uplifting articles we have carried.
Inspirational amputees
Two East Yorkshire amputees were recognised for their inspirational charity work helping others with life-changing injuries. Sam Waddington, from Bridlington, and Rob Smith, from Hessle, received awards from charity Day One Trauma Support, after they each fundraised and volunteered for the charity that helps people who have experienced major traumatic injuries.
Sam, 36, received the Volunteer Champion Award while Rob, 39, received the Inspirational Fundraiser Award. Sam had his lower left leg amputated after a catastrophic motorbike crash near his home town in June 2013; Rob lost his right leg in a forklift accident in April 2021.
Special day in honour of busy bee
We looked back with fondness at the life and times – and truly amazing community efforts – of tiny charity stalwart Jean Bishop, as Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire declared a special day in her honour. The whole of the East Riding community was encouraged to get on board and carry on Jean’s legacy, her selflessness and her incredible feats of fundraising.
Bee Lady Day, which will be held every May 13th, Jean’s birthday, recognises the little lady who spent thousands of hours standing in Hull shopping centres rattling her collecting tin for Age UK in her home-made bumble bee costume, making many friends as well as money for her cause. Jean, who was awarded Fundraiser of the Year at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards in 2013, sadly passed away in 2021 at the age of 99.
Care home community spirit
HICA’s Got Talent held at Hull’s Freedom Centre was a talent show designed to celebrate the creativity and community spirit across the HICA group’s care homes. A total of 12 acts made up of staff, residents, a family member and a young volunteer performer, took to the stage.
Among the highlights was a moving performance of We’ll Meet Again by a resident marking her 74th wedding anniversary, accompanied by a staff member. There was also a lively dance battle, comedy clown act and performances from HICA’s training team, who combined singing with Makaton sign language.
Generous six-year-olds help poorly children
A squad of junior rugby league players made a heart-warming donation to a children’s ward at Hull Royal Infirmary. Hull Wyke U6’s pledged to bring some joy to poorly youngsters by drumming up a bumper collection of toys, books, board games and stickers.
A group of six-year-old boys from the 27-strong side were able to visit Woodland Ward to hand over their donations, some of which were newly-bought toys, some preloved by the junior rugby players. It was the idea of Reece Lazenby, who runs the U6’s team at the Cropton Road-based club and whose son – one of the club players – received care on the ward for a serious chest infection.
Blind footballer guides England to victory
Inspirational Hull sportsman Roy Turnham told of his pride after leading England’s blind football team to its first ever international trophy. Roy, 39, who was registered blind from birth, was “elated” to lift the IBSA Blind Football Nations Cup in India.
The trophy was claimed by the squad after six games in seven days and a dramatic last-second goal in the final, winning 1-0 against Paralympic silver medallists Iran. The win represented a remarkable achievement for Roy, who moved to Hull six years ago and has only been able to perceive light and dark since he was a boy.
Kindness of strangers
A little girl from East Yorkshire left bereft when her new purse, filled with her Christmas money, birthday cash and savings from chores and the tooth fairy was taken during a shopping trip in Hull, had her faith restored by complete strangers. Isabella Davis, six, was with members of her family on a sales spree in Princes Quay when she accidentally left her bag on the hook behind a cubicle door in the toilets, with her purse containing £85 inside, and it disappeared.
Her mum Samantha posted on Facebook about the incident, hoping the person responsible would “have a conscience”. What the family did not bargain for was the public response and outpouring of goodwill, with hundreds of pounds being donated to Isabella, her mum calling it their “own Christmas miracle”.
Joy of train trip for people with dementia
A group of people living with dementia, some of whom had not been on a train for years, were treated to a return trip from Hull to Doncaster with games and music all part of the unique experience. As part of Dementia Action Week, Hull Trains teamed with Alzheimer’s Society to give the group a special day out on the train.
The treat of a return trip to Doncaster from Hull saw the passengers enjoying live Sixties music from Hull singer Phil Richards, and a range of other activities for the VIP guests. Each element of the experience was created to offer not only enjoyment but also gentle mental stimulation – something that is incredibly valuable for those living with memory-related conditions.