Bee Lady Day – 13th May 2025

Celebration of local icon Jean Bishop – “The Bee Lady”

A continuation of her fundraising legacy for Age UK Hull & East Yorkshire.

Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire (Age UK HEY), the regions only older person focused organisation are launching “Bee Lady Day” on the 13th May to continue Jean Bishops legacy of raising funds the charity.

Local icon, Jean Bishop, aka “The Bee Lady”, loved to dress up in a fun bee costume and walk around Hull collecting donations to support the work of Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire – she was also a user of several of our services.

Jean made a huge difference to the charity raising over £100,000 for the charity and was committed to raising her next £100,000, however she sadly passed away in 2021, aged 99.

Age UK HEY want to continue the legacy that Jean established and are encouraging everyone across the region and beyond to get involved and establish “Bee Lady Day” as an annual celebration.

Local schools and nurseries are being asked to dress up as bees or in black and yellow, local businesses are encouraged to get involved and fundraise however they can, and prominent local buildings are being lit up in amber in memory of Jean.

As part of the day’s events, the Age UK HEY team will be at the Prospect Centre in Hull City Centre and Hull Interchange Station raising money for the charity, these are the same places that Jean, dressed as The Bee Lady,used to attend with her donation pot. Hull Trains will be also be bringing their train “Jean Bishop - The Bee Lady” to Hull Interchange Station and it will be taking some of Age UK HEY’s clients on a grand day out, and encouraging fundraising at the same time.

Andy Haynes, CEO at Age UK HEY said:

“We are extremely proud and excited to be able to launch this amazing Bee Lady Day across the region. Jean was an inspiration to people of all ages, and she meant a lot to our charity and the community. 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.”

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'll be welcoming volunteers onboard to hopefully raise plenty of money for a cause that was close to her heart – Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire.

Hull Trains held a special competition in 2022 asking people to name one of our trains and Jean was the unanimous winner. Our 'Jean Bishop - The Bee Lady' train continues to serve the people of Hull to this day and we’re proud to be joining in with the celebrations of her life this year."

This special day has been developed in conjunction with Jeans family, in particular her son and daughter, and they are very pleased to continue to see their Mums legacy continue for the benefit of older people across the region.

For more information about Bee Lady Day and how to get involved then visit the Bee Lady Page or call 01482 324644 or email fundraising@ageukhull.org.uk