Staff at a Shropshire law firm have been doing their bit to help raise money for charity as part of a national campaign – with even a flock of sheep getting in on the act.
Lawyers and office staff at Lanyon Bowdler are undertaking a wide range of activities for the 2.6 Challenge, which was launched on Sunday April 26 – what should have been the date of the 40th edition of the London Marathon, the world’s biggest one-day annual fundraising event.
As part of the challenge, people are being asked to dream up an activity based around the numbers 2.6 or 26 and fundraise or donate to the Save the UK’s Charities group.
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.
Staff at Lanyon Bowdler are doing a range of challenges, from jogging on a trampoline for 26 minutes, to branding 26 sheep with the #2.6 slogan.
Brian Evans, managing partner at Lanyon Bowdler, said the firm was pleased to get involved with such an important cause.
“This coronavirus crisis is deeply affecting all of us, but it is clear that charities are being hit particularly hard because so many fundraising events are being cancelled,” he said.
“When we heard about the 2.6 Challenge, we knew our staff would jump at the chance – some quite literally – to do their bit.
“It’s been fascinating to see the array of activities that people are doing. Some are using it as a motivator to get fit, by pledging to run 2.6 miles having previously never been running before.
“Others have been rather creative, such as a gin yoga challenge, which involves doing 26 yoga poses while trying different gins, and my personal favourite which saw one of our team branding – with a safe washable marker – 26 of their sheep with #2.6 to raise the profile of the challenge.
“I would urge as many people as possible to go to the campaign website at www.twopointsixchallenge.co.uk to donate to this very worthwhile cause.”
The 2.6 Challenge has been created by the organisers of the biggest mass-participation sports events across the country to raise vital funds to help save the UK’s charities.
Nick Rusling, co-chair of the Mass Participation Sports Organisers group (MSO) and CEO of Human Race, said: “The 2.6 Challenge can be anything that works for you.
“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.
“We want people to get active, have fun and raise money to help save the UK’s charities by giving money or raising funds for the charity close to your heart.”
Hugh Brasher, co-chair of MSO and event director of London Marathon Events, added: “For many of the UK’s charities, the day of the London Marathon is the biggest fundraising day of the year.
“One of the founding pillars of the London Marathon was ‘to show how the family of mankind can be united’. We hope that The 2.6 Challenge, which starts on the day our 40th Race should have taken place, will embody that spirit and inspire people, families and communities to fundraise for their chosen charity to help save the UK’s charities.
“Right now, our vulnerable members of society need the help of charities more than ever before.
“We are asking everyone to create a 2.6 Challenge of their own and raise funds or pledge a donation.”
For more information on the 2.6 Challenge, visit www.twopointsixchallenge.co.uk
