KCOM finishes anniversary year with a fundraising flourish
GIVING BACK: KCOM has raised money for three charity partners
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
KCOM has marked the end of its 120th anniversary year with a bang – benefiting its three charities of the year.
The broadband provider has handed over £6,531 to each of its three official charity partners of the year, Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind and Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire.
The cash was raised by a number of fundraising events held throughout 2024 including a sponsored 120km ‘Tour De KCOM’ cycle challenge, sponsored runners in the Hull 10k and an epic, three-day 120k walk across the region, starting in Filey and ending at the company’s Hull city centre headquarters. Money raised was then matched by KCOM to add to the total.
KCOM CEO Tim Shaw, said: “It’s been a brilliant year packed with events and activities celebrating our 120-year history and heritage.
“It’s been important to us, in this landmark year, to keep giving back and I couldn’t think of three more deserving charities to raise funds for. Each of these charities do phenomenal work in Hull and East Yorkshire and I know the money raised will go towards improving the lives of many local people.
“I’d like to pay tribute to all the KCOM staff who have taken part in our fundraising events this year. They did a sterling job and epitomise our commitment to be at the heart of the local community.”
Sarah Brodie, partnership manager, at Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, said: “It has been such a wonderful year celebrating 120 years of KCOM. The support HEY CU receives from KCOM is amazing and hundreds of children across Hull and East Yorkshire have benefitted from their generosity.
“The fundraising efforts from the KCOM team have been incredible and the celebration event was a lovely way to end this very special year.”
Anthony Snow, business relationship lead at Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, said: “We’re really grateful to KCOM for their continued support. More people than ever in our community our struggling with their mental health, and donations and support like this mean we can give them the help they need when they need it most.
“With KCOM’s support, we will continue to provide vital services, resources, and a listening ear to those experiencing poor mental health in our community.”
Andy Haynes, CEO OF Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire, said: “It’s amazing to have been one of KCOM’s selected charity partners for their 120th anniversary year. We’re humbled and very thankful that KCOM staff have found the time and made the effort to raise funds for us, and that KCOM themselves have also directly supported us.
“We’ll be using the funds raised to support our welfare advice services, which ensures that older people are claiming the benefits they are entitled to.”
As well as fundraising for the three charities, KCOM has enjoyed a hectic year empowering local communities and connecting them to an increasingly digital world.
In November, in partnership with Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, KCOM invited 40 youngsters from eight local primary school to celebrate its birthday with an afternoon of party games and cutting a special cake shaped like an iconic cream K6 telephone kiosk.
The company also hosted an afternoon of tea, bingo and quizzes for 50 people from Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire.
This year has also seen KCOM team with Hull City, which is also celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2024, for a number of match takeover and charity ticket giveaway events.