Red carpet welcome for Hull Trains guests celebrating local legend on Bee Lady Day
SPECIAL OCCASION: Excited guests ready to join ‘Coach Bee’ with Hull Trains
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Hull Trains supported the first Bee Lady Day by welcoming on board several winners of a new award in her honour.
Well-known fundraiser Jean Bishop raised more than £125,000 for Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire (HEY), collecting donations dressed as a bee, before she died in 2021, aged 99.
The charity launched Bee Lady Day this year, on May 13, to continue her legacy.
As part of the occasion, the Hull Trains team welcomed winners of the new Jean Bishop Legacy Award – an initiative designed to celebrate older individuals who have made a difference to the lives of people across the region.
The VIP guests boarded ‘Coach Bee’ at Hull Paragon Interchange, travelling to Doncaster to enjoy a tasty bee-themed afternoon tea and several activities, before returning home.
IN MEMORY: Hull Trains named one of its state-of-the-art trains after Jean Bishop in 2022
Award-winners of the first Jean Bishop Legacy Award included 79-year-old Margaret Hannan, a keen fundraiser for good causes.
Jean Walker, 82, was also recognised. After 56 years’ service as a nurse and sky diving for charity in her 70s, she also runs mental health support activities – an issue often not talked about by older people.
Hull Trains named one of its state-of-the-art trains after Jean Bishop in 2022, after her name won a public vote by more than 80 per cent to decide what it should be called.
Louise Mendham, Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains, said: “We’re delighted to be involved in Bee Lady Day – a fitting tribute to a true Hull legend.
“Jean was an example of the strong community spirit in our area, and we were delighted to welcome the award-winners and volunteers on board to raise plenty of money for a cause that was close to her heart – Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire.”
AWARD-WINNERS: Guests travelled to Doncaster for a special bee-themed afternoon tea on the first annual Bee Lady Day
Andy Haynes, Age UK HEY CEO, said: “Many people have a special memory of Jean, and this is a great way to remember her, celebrate her legacy and raise funds for Age UK HEY, just as she used to do.
“We are aiming to establish this day as an important calendar date for many years to come.”
With this week also marking Mental Health Awareness Week, the special guests were treated to complimentary mindful Cuppa Kindness tea boxes from the Hull-based small business.
Cuppa Kindness founder Kitty Hargreaves, said: “It's brilliant to be a part of the Hull Trains celebration of the first ever Bee Lady Day.
“As a Hull-based business, Cuppa Kindness is honoured to be a part of remembering Jean Bishop and celebrating her extraordinary legacy.
“I hope the deserving guests enjoyed their special teas!”