Supporters of the Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland are being asked to take part in The 2.6 Challenge fundraising campaign to support the charity which provides vital end of life care for patients, including in the Keswick area.
The hospice, like so many other charities across the UK, has been hugely impacted by the cancellation of thousands of fundraising events due to the COVID-19 emergency. In response, organisers of the biggest mass participation sports events across the country have come together to create The 2.6 Challenge campaign to raise vital funds to help save charities.
The 2.6 Challenge will launch on Sunday (26 April), what should have been the date of the 40th London Marathon, the world’s biggest one-day annual fundraising event, which raised £66.4 million for charities in 2019. The challenge will last for a week.
Open to anyone of any age, people are being asked to take part in an activity based around the numbers 2.6 or 26 and make a donation to Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland at www.hospiceathome.co.uk/event/2-6-challenge/ – click on the links to donate or set up a fundraising page on either JustGiving or Virgin Money Giving.
Activities must follow the Government guidelines on exercise and social distancing, and people have to stay local. Ideas could include: running or walking 2.6 miles or kilometres, or for 26 minutes in your home or garden; up and down stairs 26 times; juggling for 2.6 minutes or even 26 minutes; a 26-minute exercise class; or get 26 people on a video call for a 26-minute workout; putting 26 golf balls or for 26 minutes; holding a plank for 26 minutes.
Cath Coates, fundraiser for Hospice at Home, said: “We are really excited to be taking part in this nationwide initiative and hope our supporters are keen to get involved. There are many ways to take part, and we can’t wait to see how the challenge is interpreted by our local community.
“If you take part through your workplace and have the opportunity to apply for matched funding from your business, please let us know, all extra help to raise funds and awareness would be much appreciated. Let’s help to make this national appeal a great success and show how generous the Cumbrian community can be!”
Anyone who would like to donate to this appeal but don’t have access to the internet, please call 01768 210719 or post a donation to: Hospice at Home, Valley Court, Barras Lane, Dalston, Cumbria, CA5 7NY. For more information about the Charity please visit www.hospiceathome.co.uk, or follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Linked In.
For more information on The 2.6 Challenge, visit twopointsixchallenge.co.uk
