A team of 12 bellringers will undertake an extraordinary challenge at York Minster on Saturday 10 October 2026: 10,000 changes on the 10th day of the 10th month.

The attempt will mark the centenary of the Minster’s current ring of 12 bells, installed in 1926, while raising funds for Restore York, a local charity supporting people experiencing homelessness.

The team aims to ring at least 10,000 changes continuously, taking around eight hours. The same 12 ringers, aged between 23 and 70, must ring throughout, without breaks or substitutions.

At the heart of the attempt is an unprecedented individual endurance challenge. Ewan Hull, who learnt to ring in York, will attempt to ring the Minster’s enormous tenor bell single-handed for the full eight hours. It is believed that no one has previously continuously rung a bell of this weight single-handed for so long.

The tenor bell is one of the heaviest change-ringing bells in the country at almost three tonnes. Ewan has been undertaking specialist training on heavy bells, including at Exeter Cathedral, in preparation for returning to York to take on the challenge.

Every member of the band will face exceptional physical and mental demands. Each ringer must maintain complete concentration and control of their bell throughout, collectively producing a constantly changing sequence without repetition.

The attempt is being organised by the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious bellringing societies.

The ringers hope their “10,000 on 10/10” challenge will raise £10,000 for Restore York.

Reverend Canon Maggie McClean, Acting Dean of York, said:

“This is an ambitious and memorable way to celebrate 100 years of York Minster’s magnificent bells and the contribution of York’s ringing community to the soundscape of our city, whilst raising money for one of our partner charities.

“Ringing continuously for around eight hours will require enormous stamina, concentration, and teamwork from the whole band but Ewan’s task is particularly exceptional – I don’t envy him!

“As with every peal attempt, success can never be guaranteed. We hope people across York will support the ringers and help us raise £10,000 for Restore’s vital work with people experiencing homelessness.”

Members of the public will be able to hear the bells throughout the day from outside the Minster and across central York.

Donations can be made at: https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/yorkminsterbells