‘We see huge benefits for those young people’
Groups embark on a night hike through Brantingham Dale(Image: Humberside Police)
The annual Night Challenge has returned for its 19th year. Youth teams from across the Humberside Police force area gathered at Raywell Scout Camp in Cottingham to take part in the physically and mentally demanding event.
Organised by the force’s Community Safety Unit, Night Challenge involved 24 groups of young people taking on a 12.6-mile hike through Brantingham Dale. Groups started out in the evening and continued walking into the night.
Each annual challenge has a theme, with this year’s being Arson and Anti-social behaviour. Supported by more than 100 volunteers and numerous partner agencies, Night Challenge pushes young people out of their comfort zone in a series of mental and physical tasks.
Katie Hardy from Humberide Police’s Community Safety Unit said: “The project really couldn’t go ahead each year without the support of our partners and those who kindly donate their time, expertise and equipment.
“We even had smoke simulation goggles loaned to us by Ruth Lee and Fireware to make our challenges more realistic. We are lucky to have a well establish network and would like to thank everyone who supports us and the young people.”
Manager of the Community Safety Unit, Adil Khan, said: “Every year we work hard to create an experience that pushes the boundaries and helps young people really understand the work we do collectively to keep themselves and our communities safe.
“By presenting both sides of the story, this year’s event highlighted to the young people who attended the true cost of ASB and arson. Outlining the devastating impact these can have not only on the local community but also for their own futures.”
Chris Blacksell, chair of Tribune Trust which is the main sponsor, said: “We have supported it since its inception and hope to continue to do so.
“The volunteers who give their time to run it are incredible, but the real stars are the young people who step up and take part in what is a demanding, challenging, but ultimately inspiring challenge.
“We see huge benefits for those young people, and look forward to seeing how they do.”
Humberside Police thanked all farmers and landowners for their continued support alongside. The force also thanked sponsors and organisations who made the event possible, including: 4×4 Rescue, Houlton, Humberside Fire and Rescue, Raynet, Raywell Scout, Safer Roads Humber, Tesco St. Stephens, The Defence School of Transport, The Little Butty Bus, The Well Being Wagon, Turner Price, Victim Support, Wilberforce Chambers, YorkSar, YPSS, and HALO.
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