What will you do to help Charities

Due to the London Marathon being cancelled on Sunday because of the Covid-19 Pandemic many of the charities who are already struggling will lose out on yet another source of financial support, vitally this are often the smaller charities who get their biggest chunk of money from this source.

As so often happens when something huge is lost, someone comes up with a bright idea. So instead of hundreds of people running the London Marathon everyone is being invited to do the 2.6 challenge. Here is everything you need to know:

When is the 2.6 Challenge?

It’s happening on the same day the London Marathon was due to take place: Sunday 26 April.

Where is the 2.6 Challenge?

The challenge is being taken all over the UK, with people participating wherever they are while respecting the social distancing rules – in the project’s words, “we’re not looking for superheroes. We’re looking for Home Heroes.”

What is the 2.6 Challenge?

The idea is that participants choose a challenge, any challenge at all, related to 2.6 or 26 (the number of miles in a marathon, plus the date the event would have taken place), and then ask friends and family to sponsor them to try to make up some of the money lost through the London Marathon not going ahead. Anything goes, from running around the garden for 2.6 miles to bench pressing 26 kilos.

There’s a wide range of challenges being taken up so far, from a dog’s picking up a ball 26 times, 26 pizzas being made in 26 minutes, hula hooping, singing songs, playing music. I have not been so inventive; I will be going on a 2.6 mile walk round the garden  many times.

Celebrities are also getting involved in the challenge: Paul Chuckle (of Chuckle Brothers fame) is running around the apple tree in his garden; Jessica Ennis-Hill is hitting a golf ball 26 times with a cheese grater; and Jonny Wilkinson is doing 26 keepie uppies with various balls.

Sooooooooo what will you do and which charity will you support. Go to twopointsixchallenge.co.uk to find out more. The campaign has raised ￡1.7m at the time of writing this.

By the way the website and all profile raising has been done by our very own members Studio Republic, well done all of you.