Luke Campbell to be granted freedom of Hull: Olympic gold medallist would be city's youngest recipient of honour
PLANS are under way to grant Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell the freedom of Hull.
The boxer, 24, would become the youngest to be granted the civic honour and only the second sportsman in history.
The only other sportsman to receive the freedom of the city is rugby league legend Johnny Whiteley.
Last night, city leaders said they will set the ball rolling to make sure it becomes a reality.
Sell your property with Pink Property for just £595 including VAT!
Contact: 01482 423457
Valid until: Saturday, May 25 2013
City council leader Steve Brady said: "It is certainly going to be top of our agenda over the next few weeks and I think it could happen.
"These things have to go through a process but I can't think of anyone who would object.
"Luke is a real example to others.
"He has been so modest despite his tremendous achievements and he has certainly raised the profile of the city.
"He has conducted himself incredibly well since winning the gold medal and has come across as a really smashing lad."
Luke shone in front of an audience of millions to take gold from John Joe Nevin in the Bantamweight final at London 2012 on Saturday.
His gold earned him not only a gold post box and a gold phone box, but also the admiration and respect from the whole city for his unwavering determination, focus and dedication to his sport.
And the Hessle Road lad has been quick to speak of his pride of his home city to the world's media.
Mr Brady said: "I think young people in particular can really relate to how he has worked hard to get where he has.
"He has probably done more to promote Hull in the last few days than anything we have done as a council over the last few years.
"In every interview, he says how proud he is of coming from Hull. "You can't really put a price on publicity like that."
• Details of Luke Campbell's balcony appearance at Hull City Hall from 6pm tonight
Hull East MP Karl Turner supports the idea of granting the freedom of the city to the young boxer.
"Obviously, it's not up to me but if it was, I would have no hesitation," he said.
"I've already seen Luke's trainer Mick Bromby and told him I'm going to pull out all the stops to make him Sir Mick."
The title of honorary freeman of the city is bestowed to people for their service to the community.
Luke will be in exalted company if he is granted the freedom of Hull.
Past recipients of the honour include Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and John Prescott.
Hull-born rugby league legend Johnny Whiteley became the first sportsman to receive the freedom of the city in 2009.
The title can only be given by Hull City Council and is purely an honorary one.
The only perks are invitations to civic events, a free parking space at the Guildhall and a flag being flown at half mast at the council headquarters upon death.
The first honorary freeman of Hull was the Marquis of Ripon in 1885.
Other recipients have included industrialist Sir James Reckitt, fishing magnate Christopher Pickering, philanthropist Thomas Ferens and renowned architect Sir William Gelder.
The city's adopted battleship HMS Iron Duke was admitted as an honorary freeman in 1984.
Comments
by Bill_Igerent
Wednesday, August 15 2012, 11:24AM
“Congratulations to Luke Campbell. What a tremendous credit he is to himself, family, friends, community AND most of all Team GB. The plaudits have been well earned and well deserved.
As an aside, @abanker absolutely hits the nail on the head with his comment. Well said sir/madam.
Amazed that Prescott hasn't jumped on the bandwagon here (just like he has on his crass self publicising Twitter account) with Labour's Karl Turner and Steve Brady.
Particularly given that the election for the £75K salaried Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner isn't far away!!?
"Luke will be in exalted company if he is granted the freedom of Hull. Past recipients of the honour include Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu AND John Prescott."
PLEASE HDM Editors, we have enough on our plates with delusional #TeamPrezza trying to pull the wool without you starting!!??”
by felicity44
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 11:53PM
“Fantastic , good to see
We named Clive Sullivan Way after a local sportsman , could we not do the same here ?
Luke Campbell Road ?”
by hullcity
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 11:47PM
“well done luke congratulations on winning gold”
by cueball44
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 9:07PM
“The gold medal is not the only achievement that Luke Campbell is noted for. Those giving negative comments on this thread need to read up on his history in the boxing ring.”
by abanker
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 8:51PM
“Well done luke everyone is so proud of you, lets see if the councill give your club free rent or new equipment for the future. Beware of the freeloading councillors,aldermen and the bigest ex labour MP freeloader of them all,all they want is publicity stunts.well done again and good luck for the future.”
by spike_1980
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 2:40PM
“Other recipients have included industrialist Sir James Reckitt, fishing magnate Christopher Pickering, philanthropist Thomas Ferens and renowned architect Sir William Gelder now Luke Campbell look what the other recipients have achieved in their lifetime no contest.”
by pedelrebel
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 2:32PM
“Hull East MP Karl Turner supports the idea of granting the freedom of the city to the young boxer.
"Obviously, it's not up to me but if it was, I would have no hesitation," he said.
If and when you do meet him (Luke) Mr Turner make sure you dont blow all that cig smoke all over him like you did yesterday to your colleague on your right at the cafe in Trinity Square te he.
KelsXX, knitwit, sezby
While you three have bin watchin soaps and other sh?te on ITV. Theirs been a big sporting event goin on in London. Or perhaps you bin in a pond for the last two weeks ?”
by Jo_Hull
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 1:46PM
“I agree....got to be in it to win it and that takes hard work all on it's own!”
by YorkieTed
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 1:25PM
“@KellsXX, you're not serious, are you? How can you say that after a person has represented his city and country on the worldwide stage, that he doesn't deserve to be on that balcony with Luke? Both of them have shown the youth of today what can be achieved with a lot of hard work and determination, and what could be if you get out of bed and train. Thats like saying that when Hull City moved up into the premiership, only Windass should have appeared on the balcony, because he kicked the winning goal. The whole team made the olympics what it was, both young men deserve the recognition.”
by Ann236
Tuesday, August 14 2012, 12:22PM
“@KelsXX-Who on earth could be better than these two young men who have spent years training for this moment, Alex may not have got a medal but he reached the final, which is a fantastic achievement. Well done to you both, you are a credit to Hull and your families!”