The 2.6 Challenge – The plan to Save the U.K.’s Charities

Cornwall Air Ambulance calls on supporters to join The 2.6 Challenge

Cornwall Air Ambulance, like so many charities across the UK, has been hugely impacted by the cancellation of fundraising events due to Covid-19.

In response, the organisers of the biggest mass participation sports events across the country have come together to create a new campaign to raise vital funds to help our fundraising and save the UK’s charities. You can choose to fundraise for all the participating charities, or one of your choice, such as Cornwall Air Ambulance.

The campaign, The 2.6 Challenge, will launch on Sunday 26 April – what should have been the date of the 40^th edition of the London Marathon, the world’s biggest one day annual fundraising event, which raised £66.4 million for charities in 2019.

“The 2.6 Challenge can be anything that works for you,” says Nick Rusling, Co-Chair of the Mass Participation Sports Organisers group (MSO) and CEO of Human Race. “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.”

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.

Becky Logan, Community Fundraising Manager for Cornwall Air Ambulance, said “It’s all about using this time positively, doing what we can to make a difference. Cornwall Air Ambulance are still flying every day, saving lives of those who need it most. Our traditional fundraising events are mostly postponed at this time, so we need to find new ways to fundraise, and do what we can to keep the Crew saving lives.

“We’re asking you, our supporters, to take part in the 2.6 Challenge, in whatever ways you can. Fundraising or donating whatever you can spare, however small, it all adds up.”

The mass-participation events organisers behind The 2.6 Challenge are: Human Race, parkrun, The Great Run Company, Run 4 Wales, Grounded Events, London Landmarks, Virgin Sport, Limelight Sports, Threshold Sports, Running High and London Marathon Events. The design and website has been created by Studio Republic and the social media campaign by LiveWire Sport. Both agencies are working pro bono.

The campaign is supported by the Charities Aid Foundation, the Institute of Fundraising, the Small Charities Coalition, the Office for Civil Society, Sport England, Let’s Do This, Virgin Money Giving and JustGiving.

For further information speak to the Fundraising Team by emailing enquiries@cornwallairambulancetrust.org