Local charity Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University (HEY) joined forces with HFR Solutions CIC to turn up the heat on its Elements Challenge, a brand-new Fire Fighter Challenge designed to put participants’ courage, teamwork and determination to the test – All in the name of charity.
The latest challenge saw participants brave the world of firefighting, taking on a series of challenges designed to test their strength, stamina and problem-solving skills. From navigating confined spaces and hose rolls to search and rescue, ladder climbs and of course tackling a fire., they gave it all go.
Throughout 2026, supporters have been invited to push themselves out of their comfort zones and take on exciting and daring challenges, with each one inspired by one of the four elements. Every challenge is helping to raise funds for HEY Children’s University, supporting the charity to provide inspirational learning experiences and opportunities for children and young people across Hull and East Yorkshire.
Alisa Tomlinson, Community and Events Fundraiser at Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University said: “The Elements Challenge is all about bringing people together for a common cause, while giving them the opportunity to really challenge themselves in ways they may not have done before. The Fire Fighter Challenge is a perfect example of that. It isn’t every day you get the opportunity to experience what it’s like to work in the emergency services and put your skills to the test in such a hand-on way. We’re incredibly grateful to the team at HFR Solutions CIC, who have helped put the challenge together and we can’t wait to see how everyone gets on.”
Rebecca Slow, Head of Development at Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University added: “Today is the Fire segment in our wider Elements Challenge, they’ve come along to be a firefighter for the day, there are various different challenges of what a firefighter would go through in their training and our participants will be put through their paces in this tough challenge which includes putting out fires, being in confined spaces, climbing up ladders, body drags and hose rolls.”
She said: “Our participants have loved the Elements challenges, they’ve all enjoyed the engagement and the way their teams have bonded together and that’s brought a really good vibe, they’ve all had really good fun and it’s been nice to see their confidence growing and them pushing themselves into doing something they wouldn’t usually do, which is the same as what we do as a charity for the children. By pushing themselves out of their comfort zone they’re understanding how the children feel when they do something for the first time, like going to York for the first time or going to London for the first time, they’re getting that feeling and gaining that confidence.
“We are a small local charity that works with Hull primary schools and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without funds raised from events like this, it’s our 30th anniversary and continuing events like this are what will hopefully keep us going for another 30 years, we already have plans for next year making it even more challenging with Extreme Elements.”
Solo participant Laura Dykes said: “The challenges have been amazing, it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done and it’s been such a privilege to support the Children’s University who give opportunities to people in deprived areas of Hull.”
Trish Korzeniecka from Prestige Recruitment Specialist said: “This is my third challenge, I did the drop where we were dropped in York and had to find our way back, I did the skydive as well which was really fun, they are all amazing challenges and experiences which you might not usually be able to get, and at the same time we are all here to support the local charity.”
Sophie Tranter from Keepmoat added: “It’s all been challenges where you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and things that you wouldn’t do every day, it’s for a fantastic charity so I’ve been happy to do it. The people that run the events and staff have been fantastic too and they’ve spurred us on the whole way.”
Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University is a charity that provides unique experiences to primary aged children who live in areas of disadvantage. The strapline of Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University is ‘Igniting dreams for underprivileged children’. The charity aims to make every experience ACE, by raising the Aspiration, Confidence and Engagement of the children who attend their experiences. By doing this, they hope that the children will have a greater understanding of the paths they can follow to achieve positive life outcomes.
The charity works with over 10,000 children a year and delivers over 400 learning experiences. The charity also has a Children Looked After Programme which provides intervention to children who are care experienced or currently in foster care. For more information, including our corporate partners and upcoming events visit www.hullchildrensuniversity.com