Paul Lyell is giving away free ice creams once again and will also collect donations to help the family of PJ Gray
Hull ice cream man Paul Lyell, of P&L Whippies, is handing out free 99s to customers on Halloween(Image: P&L Whippies)
An ice cream man is bringing back his annual Halloween giveaway – and this year is taking donations for a seven-year-old boy on his route who is battling a rare form of cancer. Paul Lyell will host the third Halloween Spectactular, where he gives out free cones to say thank you to people who have supported his business throughout the summer.
This year, the ice creams will still be free, but there will be donation buckets, collecting for the family of PJ Gray. PJ was diagnosed with Leukaemia in August and has to attend regular appointments in Leeds.
His family describe him as “the heart of the house”. They spoke to Hull Live recently, to warn others to look out for the underlying symptoms of the aggressive disease.
Paul is a regular face around Cottingham, Swanland, Hessle, Anlaby and Beverley, having worked selling ice creams for five years. He said he loves his job which “doesn’t feel like work”.
He said: “You drive down the street and the kids are waiting. The kids just shoot into the house and then they all come out with the money. It’s quite funny.
“I’ve done loads of stuff in my time, I started with a window cleaning business. I’m 42 now, I came across ice cream randomly and I’ve just stuck with it. It doesn’t feel like I’m at work.
“Last year was a good season, the weather was good. This year it’s been good again. It took a while for the weather to kick in but once it did it was a good season. This year a few people said ‘why don’t you raise some money?’. It’s totally free of charge but this year I thought I’d do it for a charity.”
Paul, owner of P&J Whippies, is teaming up with Jonny Anderson and his company JD Bouncetastic, from Beverley. There will be bouncy castles present and the event at Swanland Park. Paul will give away free whippy ice cream cones, complete with a flake and a sauce of the customer’s choice.
The event is growing larger each year. It started in 2024, when Paul gave away around 200 ice creams. Last year, the number grew to 400. “It’s to give something back to my customers,” he said. “I wanted to give something to all those who see me through the year.”
The Halloween Spooktacular event runs from 5pm to 7pm at Swanland Park on Saturday, October 31 and is free to attend. Fancy dress is encouraged.
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