The UK’s charities need your help

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.

Barnet Mencap, like so many charities across the UK, has been impacted by the cancellation of thousands of fundraising events due to COVID-19.

In response, the organisers of events across the country have come together to create a new campaign to raise vital funds to help our fundraising and save the UK’s charities.

The campaign, The 2.6 Challenge, will launch on Sunday 26 April 2020 and 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, we are asking you to dream up an activity based around the numbers 2.6 or 26 and fundraise by donating on either our JustGiving page or Virgin Money Giving Page.

That’s exactly what James and Emma, and Nadia did.

James and Emma completed a 26-hour movie marathon for their 2.6 Challenge. They started at 9pm on Saturday 25th April and kept watching through to 11pm Sunday 26th. 26 hours in total, with 14 films in a row. They have raised an incredible amount of money thanks to lots of very generous people (£834 + Gift Aid currently). You can see photos and updates of how they got on – or even still support them – on their JustGiving page.

Nadia also thought up her own challenge – 26 press ups on the hour, for ten hours. Simple. It was a nice day so she headed into her garden every hour and raised another incredible amount of money (£781 plus Gift Aid currently). Thanks again to so many generous people. You can see updates and photos of how Nadia got on – or show her your support – on her JustGiving page.

Thank you so much to everybody that has donated to us as part of the 2.6 Challenge. Both pages are still open, and there’s still time to do your own challenge!

Your imagination – and the current government guidelines – are the only limits on what you could do! You can run or walk 2.6 miles, 2.6km or for 26 minutes. You could do the same in your home or garden, go up and down the stairs 26 times, juggle for 2.6 minutes, do a 26 minute exercise class or get 26 people on a video call and do a 26 minute workout – anything you like! For more great ideas for you and your family, click here to see Virgin Money Giving’s suggestions.

For more information on The 2.6 Challenge, visit twopointsixchallenge.co.uk