Inspirational colleagues, volunteers and supporters across Kent, Surrey and Sussex have taken on a series of quirky challenges in a bid to raise money, as part of the national 2.6 challenge.
The fundraiser was launched on Sunday 26 April – what should’ve been the date of the 40th London Marathon, the world’s biggest one-day annual fundraising event.
Organisers of mass-participation sports events across the country came together to create the new campaign.
Thousands of people across the UK took part in creative challenges based around the numbers 2 and 6.
30 pages were set up to support us, which have so far raised more than £15,600.
Seven of the participants were colleagues. Helene Poursain, Director of Fundraising and Events completed 2.6km of roly-polies, which equated to 1,300 in total. Her challenge was spread across two days, taking three hours in total to complete.
A 26-minute live Facebook stream was accomplished by Bridget Pepper, Head of Volunteer Development. Renditions of Rock Around the Clock, Landslide and Fever were recited.
Head of Events Lauren Simmons organised an egg and spoon race, with 26 people taking part, each completing 100m with their own egg and spoon.
Other 2.6 challenges to support us included a 2.6 mile bike ride, a 2.6km walk in fancy dress, 260 bounces on a trampoline, 26 cupcakes baked, 26 gymnastic exercises and lots more.
Lynne Harris, Executive Director of Income Generation said: “Fundraising is incredibly challenging at the moment but we are very fortunate that the people of Kent, Surrey and Sussex really take us into their hearts, they know what an important charity we are. I’d like to say thank you to all of our supporters, colleagues and volunteers who came up with a creative and really engaging way to raise us money.
“Inspired by our 2.6 fundraisers, we hope people will use the extra time they now have at home to do some fundraising for us, or will donate to us through our Coronavirus Emergency Appeal. We are extremely grateful for all of the ways in which people are supporting us through these difficult times”.
We had 14 runners signed up for the original London Marathon, which is now scheduled to take place on Sunday 4 October. All 14 of the participants will be running for us in October.
