Knitted bees to create a buzz for Bee Lady Day

A charity has encouraged people to knit and crochet tiny bees to mark the first Bee Lady Day in Hull and East Yorkshire.

The event will be held on 13 May in memory of Jean Bishop who dressed in a fun bee outfit on the streets of Hull to collect money for Age UK.

Mrs Bishop, who died aged 99 in 2021, raised more than £125,000 and was awarded a Pride of Britain Award which was presented by David Walliams dressed in a bee outfit.

Kayleigh Carter, fundraising coordinator for Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire, said the bees would be hidden across the area in the lead up to the event.

Speaking on BBC Radio Humberside, Ms Carter said the charity was "reaching out to the whole of Hull and East Yorkshire" to get involved, including schools.

On 13 May representatives of the charity will be at Hull Paragon Interchange and the Prospect Shopping Centre, areas Mrs Bishop was known to visit.

Ms Carter said she was approached by someone from a knitting community group who came up with the idea of knitting and crocheting tiny bees that can be hidden across the area ahead of the day.

Jane Herman, from Longhill in Hull, was one of the keen participants who got involved, and has already crocheted 13 tiny bees.

She said: "The Bee Lady was a big part of my childhood growing up.

"She always stood in Prospect Centre with a smile on her face and always had time for anyone who would stop and talk or drop pennies in her pot."

Ms Carter said: "We can just imagine Hull being this sea of little bees running around.

"We want to inspire a brand new generation of fundraisers."

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