New fundraising challenge launched by Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University will see participants push their limits in adrenaline-fuelled events, including a brand-new Fire Fighter Challenge.
Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University (HEY CU) is calling on individuals and workplace teams to take part in a new adrenaline-fuelled fundraising challenge it has launched for 2026.
The HEY CU Elements Challenge is a unique year-long series of four extreme and inspiring events, each representing one of the four elements – water, wind, earth and fire.
Participants will commit to completing all four challenges while raising funds to support HEY CU’s work with primary-aged children in disadvantaged areas of the region.
The challenges include an underwater escape experience normally used for offshore helicopter training, a 100ft abseil or 15,000ft skydive and a muddy obstacle course or survival-style navigation challenge.
For a brand new and unique fire-based finale, participants can experience a dramatic walk through a controlled burning building, guided by a professional firefighting team from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.
The first event of the Elements Challenge takes place in February, when participants will take on ‘The ‘Dunker’, Humber Offshore Training Association’s underwater escape simulator.
Signing up for all four events costs £100, with those taking part asked to raise a minimum of £750 for the charity. Individuals or teams can take part, with teams able to split challenges between members.
HEY CU raises children’s aspirations and broadens their horizons through inspiring learning experiences, from visits to museums and visitor attractions to behind-the-scenes tours at local businesses.
Rose James, chief executive at HEY CU, said: “The Elements Challenge is something completely new for us and for the region.
“While we’ve run individual events of this type before, bringing them together as a year-long series will give participants an extra level of challenge that we believe will be both inspiring and rewarding
“We’ve worked closely with supporters, partners and local businesses like HOTA to include some experiences that are normally out of reach to members of the general public – and, in the case of the Fire Fighter Challenge provided by Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, have never been available at all.”
The Elements Challenge is ideal for people who are looking to set themselves a meaningful goal in 2026, enjoy a serious adrenaline rush or want to step outside their comfort zone by trying something new. It is also perfect for businesses seeking a memorable team-building opportunity that makes a real difference locally.
“What will really make the Elements Challenge special is the journey people go on together as they complete the events in the series,” continued Rose.
“Whether they sign up as an individual or as a team, relationships will build across the year and confidence will grow. And every challenge completed will help us give local children experiences that can genuinely change how they see their future.”
People can register their interest or sign up by emailing Alisa Tomlinson, HEY CU’s community and events fundraiser, at a.tomlinson2@hull.ac.uk. More information will be shared at a launch event at the end of January 2026.