In these unprecedented times, all charities are facing big challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis – including the four that Child of Wales supports: the NSPCC, Teenage Cancer Trust, Dreams and Wishes (100% volunteer run) and the Bluestone Foundation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic effect with the cancellation of thousands of events and the loss of billions in income through fundraising events. The Virgin Money London Marathon alone, which should have taken place on Sunday 26 April, is the world’s biggest one-day fundraising event, which raised more than £66.4 million for thousands of charities in 2019.

Many of charities, including some of ours, have had to reduce services at a time when vulnerable members of society need them most; thousands of staff have been placed on furlough and many charities face tough times ahead.

To mitigate some of these problems to some extent, an initiative called the 2.6 challenge will launch on Sunday 26 April 2020 – what should have been the date of the 40th London Marathon, the world’s biggest one day annual fundraising event.  The challenge will last for a week. The 2.6 Challenge is open to anyone of any age – the only requirement is that the activity must follow the Government guidelines on exercise and social distancing and remember to stay local.

From Sunday 26 April 2020, the organisers are asking you to dream up an activity based around the numbers 2.6 or 26 and fundraise by donating.

The mass-participation event’s organisers behind the 2.6 Challenge are: Human Race, parkrun, The Great Run Company, Run 4 Wales, Grounded Events, London Landmarks, Virgin Sport, Limelight Sports, Threshold Sports, Running High and London Marathon Events.

The design and website has been created by Studio Republic and the social media campaign by LiveWire Sport. Both agencies are working pro bono.  The campaign is supported by the Charities Aid Foundation, the Institute of Fundraising, the Small Charities Coalition, the Office for Civil Society, Sport England, Let’s Do This, Virgin Money Giving and JustGiving.

So for more information on The 2.6 Challenge and to raise money for charities in need right now, visit twopointsixchallenge.co.uk