2.6 Challenge Raises Over £6m As Sports Stars And Celebs Get Involved

The 2.6 Challenge has raised more than £6 million for UK charities over a weekend of activity which saw some of the country’s most recognisable faces from the world of sport and entertainment take part.

Around 44,000 participants would have taken part in the London Marathon on 26th April, in what would have been the world’s largest one-day fundraising event. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, that is no longer the case.

Organisers of the country’s biggest mass participation sports events came together to create the campaign to help save the UK’s charities which are facing an estimated £4 billion shortfall due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Celebrities and sports stars including Stephen Fry, Clare Balding, Piers Morgan, Jonny Wilkinson, Gareth Bale, Helen Glover, Seb Coe all participated, filming themselves completing a variety of tasks related to 2.6, 26 or 260 in aid of their chosen charities..

Hugh Brasher, Co-Chair of Mass Participation Sports Organisers (MSO) group and Event Director of London Marathon Events, said, “The response we have had to The 2.6 Challenge today has been incredible. It has been so inspiring to see the nation come together – from superstar celebrities to young children – to help save the UK’s charities.

“The best of Great Britain’s society shines through whenever we have our backs to the wall. People have been in their houses now for over a month and I think many of us feel helpless.

“While we understand the necessity to stay at home to save the NHS, many of us want to do something additional to help those in greatest need and The 2.6 Challenge allows us to do that, to get active and to help save the UK’s charities. It’s important to say that today was just the start of the campaign and we want to encourage people that haven’t already taken part to think of a challenge and give it a go.”

Organisers say the fundraising page is still open for donations.