HSP Challenge Covers 337km & Raises £1000 in Aid of Disability-inclusive Sport

University staff, students, and local residents from across Hertfordshire have collectively travelled 337 kilometres and raised over £1,000 in support of disability-inclusive sport in the county.

The achievement was part of Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership’s (HSP) Annual Charity Challenge, held at the Hertfordshire Sports Village (HSV) on Thursday 12 February. The 2026 fundraiser was in aid of Herts Inclusive Sports Initiative (HISI), a charity that provides grants and bursaries to organisations and individuals delivering sport and physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities. This year’s focus was to reach a total of 237km, with various adapted activities and inclusive equipment symbolising 1 kilometre for every medal on offer across the 79 events at the forthcoming Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics 2026.

Participants were encouraged to contribute to the collective distance through walking, cycling, swimming, and adaptive activities such as a ski ergometer and hand cycle. HSV Swim members played a key role by adding their pool distances to the total, some of Hertfordshire’s Live Longer Better champions contributed through a walk around campus after their annual brunch, while an additional wheelchair shootout challenge invited passers-by to try an adaptive sporting activity first-hand.

We also welcomed an enthusiastic group of individuals from the Live a Little Day Service for adults with learning difficulties and special needs, who loved contributing to the distance taking part in a carousel of all the activities.

Representatives from the charity attended on the day, and even encouraged their host site, Amwell View school, to complete their own parallel challenge in the days leading up to the event with students of their Community Class (8 pupils and 3 staff)  logging distances in the schools fitness suite and whilst walking in the local community between 9 and 11th February achieving an impressive 196km.

The final distance of 337km, exceeded the original target by 100km, reflecting strong engagement from university members, local organisations, and the wider Hertfordshire community.

The event formed part of the countywide No Limits 2026 campaign, Hertfordshire’s Year of Disability Sport & Physical Activity which aims to expand inclusive sport opportunities in Hertfordshire by removing physical, social, and financial barriers to participation for disabled individuals.

Funds raised through the challenge will directly support inclusive programmes and activities designed to remove barriers to participation and enable disabled individuals to access, enjoy, and thrive in sport and physical activity.

Organisers highlighted the exceptional level of dedication and enthusiasm shown by those involved and expressed optimism that this momentum will strengthen ongoing efforts to promote inclusion during the No Limits 2026 campaign and beyond.

If you would like to learn more about No Limits 2026 campaign or sign up for the monthly newsletter visit here: No Limits 2026 – Hertfordshire’s Year of Disability Sport & Physical Activity

If you would still like to donate to the charity challenge, please do so via the link here: Fundraiser by Herts Sport and Physical Activity Partnership : HSP's Charity Challenge 2026