KIND founder up for freedom of city

STEPHEN Yip, founder of the children’s charity KIND, has been recommended for the Freedom of the City by Liverpool’s Lord Mayor. 

Banksy calendarHe is also back on Bold Street from this Saturday, at number 81, selling some of our favourite designer kitchenware bargains, and other bric-a-brac, to raise money for the cause. 

KIND was founded by Yip in 1975 and has worked with thousands of young people and families. It believes every child, regardless of their background, has something important to offer and believes in the importance of investing in their future. 

Councillor Frank Prendergast, said: “I am delighted to be recommending Stephen’s name to be added to the Freedom Roll of Association and Institutions of the City of Liverpool.

Cheap as chips “Stephen’s charity, KIND has spent over 35 years helping and supporting disadvantaged children and families in and around the North West; he is an inspiration to others and a great ambassador for the city.” 

In December last year, Mr Yip, an MBE, was appointed as Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside. KIND received the LJMU Corporate Fellowship award in 2000.  

But never mind all that: Liverpool Confidential would also like to honour him for selling excellent Typhoon culinary utensils at ridiculously low prices as well as these posh Pantone coffee cups and storage jars which, Mr Yip would like us to tell you, are four for a fiver and three for a tenner respectively. 

While we are on it, customers can also bag a Banksy calendar (£1) or T-shirt (£6).

The fundraising caper has already raised a few eyebrows down at the anonymous street artist’s Bristol HQ.

"Somebody tipped them off and we got a call from a lady who works for Banksy. We explained that we had only used images that were already on public buildings, told them about the work of the charity. We sent them a calendar in November and have heard nothing back," he said.

Banksy famously did say that copyright was for losers.

If agreed by the full council next Wednesday, a special ceremony will be held, at a date to be agreed, at which Mr Yip will receive the Freedom award.