Challenge by Mary Haworth, Director of Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni at the University of York

Barely a day goes by without a news story highlighting the challenges facing children and young people in modern Britain. For those in the North of England, these challenges are compounded by stark inequalities that are now at crisis point.

The figures are alarming: children in the North are significantly more likely to live in poverty (34%) than those in the rest of England (28%). This disadvantage shadows them throughout their lives, leading to worse average health outcomes, lower educational attainment, and poorer lifelong economic prospects.

COVID-19 and the deepening cost-of-living crisis have pushed child poverty rates in Yorkshire and the Humber to their highest levels in over two decades. Now, more than ever, investing in young people is crucial—not only to support their individual growth but ensuring that our region is recognised as a place of opportunity for all.

Breaking the Conveyor Belt of Disadvantage

Growing up in a disadvantaged postcode can severely restrict a child’s chances of success. While the causes of educational underachievement are complex, poverty is a major factor. The University of York is committed to changing this narrative.

With public good at our core and a commitment to raising aspiration, we view opening up the opportunity of higher education as a key step in breaking the cycle of poverty. Our access and outreach initiatives help make this vital step change possible by working with teachers, advisers, and partners to inspire talented young people from all backgrounds.

A Personal Commitment: My Challenge for Change

As a child of the North myself and now bringing up two children in Yorkshire, I care deeply about helping to break the cycle of inequality that prevents so many young people in our region from succeeding.

That is why I am taking on a major challenge and asking for your support.

I will be walking the 125 miles between our four community learning centres over 5 days in March 2026.

• Start: IntoUniversity Grimsby on Monday 23 March
• Walk to: IntoUniversity Hull
• Continue to: IntoUniversity Bridlington
• Finish: The Place, York on Friday, 27 March

Please help me get to my fundraising target of £3400, which will support one child all the way through their journey at one of our Centres.

Our Impact: Reducing Gaps in Educational Attainment

In partnership with the University of Hull and the education charity IntoUniversity, we have opened four community-embedded learning centres, building powerful local networks to support young people right where they live.

These centres are helping to close the higher education gap between the most and least advantaged communities:

• The Place, York (Westfield) is an inspirational community space supporting around 800 children and their families each year. It offers academic and employability support, plus extracurricular activities to empower the community to realise their ambitions.

• IntoUniversity (Hull, Bridlington, and Grimsby) our three IntoUniversity centres that are dedicated to bridging the educational gaps prevalent in our region’s coastal communities, working with children and young people from seven years old upwards.

Together, across these four centres, we are supporting more than 4,000 young people and their families each year to help ensure every young person can achieve their chosen aspiration, whether that is further or higher education, employment, or training.

How You Can Invest in a Lifetime of Opportunity

It costs around £1.3 million each year to run these four vital centres—which breaks down to approximately £340 per child for life-changing support.

We need your help to raise funds, raise awareness, and ensure every young person has the opportunity to meet their educational potential.

Please sponsor my walk for every mile I cover—whether that’s 10p per mile, £1 per mile, or whatever you can afford.

Your sponsorship will directly fuel our efforts to empower young people to break out of the cycle of poverty and achieve a lifetime of opportunity.

Thank you for helping us walk the distance for their future.