More than £10,000,000 raised by 2.6 Challenge to save UK charities

It’s estimated charities in the country could lose £4 billion in income due to the outbreak.

More than £10 million has been raised by thousands of charities in place of this year’s London Marathon.

Charities have been badly hit by the cancellation of mass-participation events during the pandemic as they rely so much on the money donated.

It’s been estimated that charities in the country could lose £4 billion in income due to coronavirus.

Step forward the 2.6 Challenge, which encouraged people to get involved in all sorts of activities, from running to swimming, fancy dress and cocktail making, using the numbers two and six – in honour of the number of miles in a marathon.

A record 3,961 charities got behind the campaign which was launched last month.

Now, 15 days after the challenge began, more than £10 million has been raised, prompting a message from the Queen.

A letter sent to Sir John Spurling, chairman of London Marathon Events, read: ‘Congratulations and warmest good wishes to you and all those involved.’

Hugh Brasher, co-chairman of the Mass Participation Sports Organisers (MSO) group and event director of London Marathon Events, described the achievement as ‘an extraordinary success story’.

He said: ‘We would like to thank everyone involved: the team that put the campaign together, the businesses and organisations that supported it, and, most of all, every single person who came up with a 2.6 Challenge and raised money for their chosen charity.’

Nick Rusling, co-chairman of MSO and chief executive of Human Race, added: ‘At a time when isolation is a real issue, the spirit behind the challenge has brought together families, streets, colleagues and friends.’

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