Charity campaigners receive ‘Hometown Heroes’ welcome from chart star Calum
SUPRISE: Dawn Thompson, left, and Chelsey Dalee with Calum Scott
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Two Hull charity campaigners have been given the star treatment while being unveiled as KCOM’s latest Hometown Heroes.
Chelsey Dalee and Dawn Thompson, of suicide prevention charity Mysterious Minds, received a celebrity surprise when they were greeted by pop star Calum Scott at a classic cream phone box named in their honour.
The Dancing On My Own singer – a two-times Brit nominee with three songs with over a billion streams on Spotify – is a keen advocate for mental health awareness.
Freshly back home in Hull from his third global tour, Calum leapt at the chance to help Dawn and Chelsey celebrate in style.
Mysterious Minds was founded by Chelsey in 2017 after losing her former partner Jamie to suicide. She was joined in 2019 by trustee Dawn who also tragically lost her daughter Mollie Rose to suicide.
Since coming together, the pair have done essential work offering experience, understanding and financial support to those at risk of suicide and grieving families.
The duo won a huge number of public nominations earlier this year as part of KCOM’s call to seek out unsung local heroes.
The Hometown Heroes campaign is marking the 90th anniversary of Hull’s classic cream coloured K6 phone boxes by dedicating kiosks to local legends who have dedicated their lives to helping and inspiring others.
Chelsey said: “It really is such an honour to receive something like this. Our motto is ‘you’ll never walk alone’ and I think this phone box represents that.
HELPING FAMILIES WHO GO THROUGH LOSS: Chelsey Dalee and Dawn Thompson with their new phone box
“What started as a fundraiser has now turned into a charity that helps the local community who have experienced the same loss we have. Thank you again to KCOM, we couldn’t be happier.”
Dawn said: “This means more to us than we can put in to words. We’re not heroes, but our goal is to keep helping families who go through loss and to support them in any way we can.
“To be gifted one of Hull’s iconic phone boxes is such an honour. I spent many years making calls from these phone boxes and it was a way for people to stay connected, and that’s what we’re all about at Mysterious Minds.
“This phone box is for every family that’s lost someone, to Jamie and Mollie, and we just want to say a big thank you to KCOM for making this possible.”
Calum said: “Chelsey and Dawn do amazing work helping people through some of the darkest periods of their lives and supporting families who are going through unimaginable grief.
“Everything they do to put mental health and suicide awareness in the spotlight, giving support when it’s most needed, is incredible. They’re more than deserving of being named Hometown Heroes. Having this small corner of Hull’s heritage named in their honour is a great tribute. It’s so special to be able to share this day with them.”
The unveiling of Mysterious Minds’ cream K6 was timed to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10.
Dawn and Chelsey’s K6 kiosk can now be seen on Paragon Street, Hull city centre.
For more details about KCOM Hometown heroes campaign visit www.kcom.com/home/hometown-heroes
For more information about Mysterious Minds visit www.mysteriousminds.co.uk