Iconic phone box gets heroic makeover with help of Hull youngsters

Children from the charity, which aims to give young people from the region new opportunities to learn and thrive, have created dozens of pieces of art celebrating Hull’s heroes which now adorn KCOM’s classic cream K6 phone box in Hull City Centre.

Portraits of Hull legends such as William Wilberforce, Clive Sullivan and Amy Johnson, Bee Lady Jean Bishop can now be seen in the kiosk, at the top of Alfred Gelder Street, which has also been dressed in the Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University colours.

The design has been launched to celebrate KCOM becoming a gold partner with the charity, further strengthening ties between the two local institutions. The children’s university regularly holds sessions in KCOM’s Carr Lane Learning Zone before the youngsters head out into town to discover more about Hull’s history and most famous sons and daughters.

As KCOM celebrates its 120th birthday in 2024, Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University has been chosen as one of the telecom company’s charities of the year.

Rose James, Chief Executive Officer of Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, said: “KCOM have been valued partners of Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University for over a decade and supported us in so many ways over the years. I am delighted that they have chosen to increase their support by becoming Gold Partners in such a special anniversary year for the business. 

“As part of our partnership, KCOM provides our charity with the use of their Learning Zone classroom in the city centre. Thousands of children have attended sessions delivered from the Learning Zone, learning all about Hull’s history and people and helping them to feel proud of the city they come from.

“The launch of our “Hull Ambassadors” phone box is a wonderful way to mark our partnership and gives local families the chance to follow our Hull Ambassadors Trail to find out all about some of the most inspirational people from our city. We hope that the trail will encourage families to explore our rich history and feel proud to be from Hull.”

Other local notables who have been given an artistic tribute on the box are pop star Callum Scott, boxer Tommy Coyle and headscarf revolutionary Lillian Bilocca.

One of the winning pieces of artwork was created by eight-year-old Nellie Hay, from Endsleigh Primary School. Nellie said: “I chose to draw Amy Johnson because she’s a female adventurer from Hull and she inspired me. I feel very proud that my drawing was officially chosen to be displayed on a special phone box in our city.”

KCOM Community Impact partner Louise Babych said:  “This is a special year for KCOM as we celebrate our 120th anniversary, and we’re delighted to become Gold Partners with a charity that gives life changing experiences to so many local children.

“We’re always looking for creative ways to work together, from our engaging Learning Zone activity to STEM based projects that inspire an interest in digital careers.

“What better way than to celebrate our growing partnership than wrapping one of our iconic kiosks and giving young people a chance to be part of Hull’s history and future.”