Ben Nolan on the treadmill for Saint Catherine’s Hospice
The Virgin London Marathon, one of the most important fundraising events of the year for hospices, was scheduled to take place this Sunday, but due to the Coronavirus pandemic it will now happen on October 4th. But that doesn’t mean this weekend’s calendar is empty.
Hospices up and down the UK are instead hosting the 2.6 Challenge, encouraging people to think of an event around the numbers 26 or 2.6 and take part on what would have been Marathon day on the 26th of April. These don’t have to involve running – here we’ve rounded up a few of the most creative ideas people have come up with to support their local hospice at this time of great need.
The catering team at North Devon Hospice will be covering the official London Marathon distance of 26.219 miles by carrying a rucksack loaded with 26 toilet rolls in a team relay event, which will see them running, walking or jogging round the course. The rucksack will be the official “baton” to be passed between members after each set of laps.
Sally Bridger will be wearing 26 items of headwear in 1 minute for Havens Hospices in Essex. Here she is rehearsing.
95-year-old Joan Crowden will be fundraising for Hospiscare in Devon by moving 26 balloons 26 times from one end of her garden to the other. The idea was dreamt up by her grandchildren as a way of paying homage to her Airforce duties during WW2, when 17 year-old Joan left home to join the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Working as a flight mechanic, an important part of her role was to move the barrage balloons around the airfield to deter enemy aircraft and ensure the safety of the Spitfires.
Maria Goodwin will be hosting a 26 question quiz on Sunday at 4pm for Birmingham St Mary’s via Facebook Live. Rounds will include marathons, music, famous landmarks, film and London.
At a time when many plants are going to waste because of the closure of garden centres, Floral Mechanics are offering a selection of 26 home grown vegetable, flower and house plants for a donation pledge starting at £26.00 for St. Peter’s Hospice in Bristol.
Also…
After the Manchester Marathon on April 5 was postponed, Dave Hardy decided to take matters into his own hands and run all 26 miles in his own back garden, raising £1,400 for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth. It took him seven hours to complete, while his partner kept the drinks station stocked and his dog Lola even joined him for a few laps along the way. Watch this video of him on the day.
Ben Nolan ran a half marathon on two treadmills in his garage for Saint Catherine’s Hospice in Scarborough. He went over and above his target of £350, raising £1,475. Ben made this video which even has an on-air countdown at the beginning by Clare Frisby of BBC Radio York.
A brother and sister aged 6 and 9 respectively ran 234 laps of their garden – the equivalent of running a marathon – for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). They began the challenge at the beginning of April, pledging to do 10 laps every day for 24 days – but managed to complete it in just over two weeks by running 40 laps on some days. They raised £1,525, well over their target of £234.
For more information visit Two Point Six Challenge
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