More than 40 children and adults have taken part in the national 2.6 Challenge for Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices, raising more than £7,000!

While many people decided to run a variation of 2.6 in homage to the challenge’s London Marathon origins, others have let their imagines run riot with head shaves, Wacky Races car rides, online choir concerts and fancy dress.

Hope House Children’s Hospices Head of Fundraising Alison Marsh said: “We were absolutely stunned by how many people of all ages were inspired to take part in the 2.6 Challenge and thrilled that so many decided to raise money for Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith.

“The money will all be used to fund the vital end of life and crisis care that we are still providing to local children and their families during these extremely difficult times.”

North Wales

In Rhyl six-year-old Harry Thorogood, who has a rare life-threatening condition and is supported by Tŷ Gobaith, did his 2.6 mile walk on his grandad Colin’s shoulders; while in Colwyn Bay Emma Lidgett  cycled 26 laps around her garden and in Mold Andy and Rachel Casey and Jane and Andrew Doughton did a 26.2 marathon relay.

Other challengers included Kelly Hughes from Anglesey; Sarah Ritchie from Colwyn Bay; and Debbie Williams from Denbigh.

Wrexham

In Wrexham, Luke Price ran 100 kilometres dressed as Forest Gump!

He said: “Charities need more help than ever during this unprecedented time of Covid-19 and Tŷ Gobaith is a charity extremely close to my family’s heart because my nephew Corey visits for respite. I wanted to show my support by doing a physical challenge but also making it fun and light-hearted for some entertainment during this difficult time.”

Others running in Wrexham included Sian Roberts and family; Leo and Ava Dowdeswell; and Janet Bancroft.

Shropshire

In Shifnal six-year-old Maggie Barnes ran 26 laps of her local playing fields to earn her Challenge medal and raise money for the hospices.

Meanwhile Lisa Powis in Shrewsbury decided to do the 2.6 Challenge with a twist by shaving her head, and at Haberdashers’ Adams Grammar School in Newport their online choir created a performance of A Little Bit of Love, a song written by Graham Kendrick especially for the 2.6 Challenge, which can be seen on the Songbirds and Swans Facebook page.

Other challengers in Shropshire included: Neil Poole and everyone from Middlehurst Lodge; Sarah Ford and friends in Gobowen who held a socially-distanced Wacky Races in home-made cardboard cars; Claire and Emma Briggs, Williams Richards, and Sandra Hunter from Shrewsbury; Sue Austin from Ellesmere; and from Oswestry Chloe Evans, Reuben and Demi Hatley, Dawn Watkin, Cheryl Harris, Michelle Richardson, Joseph and ,Ruby de Saram, Cheryl Morris and Diane Miller.

Mid Wales

In Powys Emma Hughes from Llanidloes (photo attached) set herself the challenge of running and cycling 2.6 miles a day for five days, while in Welshpool Emma, Tim and Mary Saul did a 2.6 mile run, a 2.6 mile walk and 26 press ups each.

Cheshire

Thank you to 2.6 challengers in Cheshire too: Janice Shaw in Buckley; Hannah Robinson in Northwich; and Entyce, Lorraine Jenkins and Thomas Eyes in Chester.