KCOM announces three charities of the year for 120th anniversary
SUPPORT: From left, Rose James, of Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, Andy Haynes, from Age UK, Tim Shaw, of KCOM, Anthony Snow, from Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, and Sarah Brodie, of Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
KCOM has revealed its three charities of the year as part of its 120th anniversary celebrations.
The Hull-based broadband provider has announced Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind and Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire will be the three main beneficiaries of its charity fundraising activities throughout 2024, as it approaches its official 120th birthday on November 28.
KCOM CEO Tim Shaw said: “KCOM has always been at the heart of the communities we serve and on hand to help local charities through a wide range of giving and grants. But in this special 120th anniversary year, we wanted to focus on supporting three very special local groups that make a huge difference to improving lives across our region.
“From the thousands of children that the Children’s University helps every year, giving them real aspirations and hope for the future, to the older people given a better quality of life by Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire, and the many people who need a helping hand to improve their mental health by Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, our three chosen charities touch lives right across the community – and we can’t wait to start raising money for their vital causes.”
Among the planned fundraising activities taking part throughout the year are the KCOM team’s participation in the Hull 10k, an arduous 120km hike, an MKM Stadium challenge and a gala banquet birthday party planned for November.
This year KCOM also launched its Digital Inclusion Grants, in partnership with the Smile Foundation, to award sums of up to £25,000 to initiatives that help people across the region fulfil their online potential.
Rose James, CEO of Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, said: “We are so happy to be one of the chosen charities for KCOM’s 120th anniversary. Their support means that we will be able to provide more children in Hull and East Yorkshire with experiences that they otherwise might miss out on. The whole HEY CU team are really excited to help KCOM mark their special birthday and we are so very grateful to be part of it.”
Emma Dallimore, chief executive at Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, said: “We’re delighted be an official partner with KCOM, whose commitment to connectivity aligns seamlessly with ours. We know how important connections are when it comes to our mental health and wellbeing, whether it be face to face or online.
“KCOM have already supported us tremendously over the years, whether it be through training, fundraising or awareness raising. This partnership will support us to help more local people in the local area and we are excited to see where our partnership goes.”
Andy Haynes, CEO of Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire, added: “We’re really pleased to be one of KCOM’s official charities as part of their 120th anniversary year. Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire has been active in Hull for nearly 75 years, so we’ve both long track records of serving the local community. The funds raised will go directly to supporting Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire’s vision of ensuring that older people can live gratifying and sustainable later lives.”
To find out more about KCOM’s work in the local community, visit www.kcom.com/responsibility/sustainability/community/
To find out more about KCOM 120th anniversary digital inclusion grants, visit https://heysmilefoundation.org/2023/10/23/generous-funding-opportunity-as-hey-smile-foundation-and-kcom-join-forces/