Hull and East Yorkshire charity brings the seaside to its anniversary celebrations, for a special evening of fun and nostalgia.
Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University (HEYCU) is celebrating after raising an incredible £47,000 at its 30th anniversary ball marking a major milestone in the charity’s 30-year history.
Held at DoubleTree by Hilton Hull on Friday 16th October, the special seaside-themed evening invited guests to relive childhood memories of building sandcastles, playing games and enjoying much-loved seaside treats..
But for HEYCU, the theme carried a deeper meaning.
As a charity working with children growing up in disadvantaged communities across Hull and East Yorkshire, HEYCU knows that experiences many people take for granted are not accessible to everyone. Some of the children the charity supports have never visited the beach, despite living in a region with a rich coastal heritage.
For these children, a trip to the seaside can be much more than a day out. It can be an opportunity to explore somewhere new, make memories, discover new interests and experience the world beyond their everyday surroundings.
The theme reflected HEYCU’s mission to ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience new things, discover their potential and dream big, regardless of their background or postcode.
The £47,000 raised from the evening will support HEYCU’s work to raise aspirations, build confidence and increase engagement in learning among children growing up in disadvantaged communities across the region, helping them discover their potential and broaden their horizons through experiences beyond the classroom.
The evening was made even more special by the presence of HEY CU’s founder, Dr John Buttrick MBE, who joined in the celebrations. It was his first time attending the charity ball in 12 years, making it a truly memorable occasion.
Rose James, Chief Executive of Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have raised £47,000 at our 30th Anniversary Ball. It was a wonderful evening, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a success.
“Our seaside theme was particularly meaningful because it represents something at the heart of our work. We often think of childhood memories as things that everyone gets to experience, but that simply isn’t the case. Some of the children we work with have never been to the beach, and experiences that might seem ordinary to us can be completely new to them.
“These opportunities matter. They help children build confidence, develop curiosity, discover new interests and see possibilities beyond what they already know. Every child deserves the chance to make memories, explore the world around them and dream about what their future could hold.
“Raising £47,000 is an incredible achievement, and we cannot thank our supporters, partners, sponsors and volunteers enough. As we celebrate 30 years of HEYCU, this support will help us continue opening doors for children who might otherwise miss out, for the next 30 years and beyond.”
The charity extends its heartfelt thanks Headline Sponsors Thompsons, Event Sponsors Hobson and Porter and KCOM and to everyone who attended, donated and supported the event, the generosity shown helped make the event a huge success.
As Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University looks towards its next 30 years, the £47,000 raised will help it continue its mission to level the playing field, broaden horizons and ensure more children have access to experiences that can shape their futures.