Two Merseyside charities are taking part in this Sunday’s 2.6 Challenge

Cancer charity Maggie’s Merseyside and children’s charity Zoe’s Place are both appealing for support in the massive UK-wide event.

Maggies says: “You could create a physical challenge around the number 2.6 and raise money. Run 2.6k, walk for 26 hours, do 260 star jumps…you decide!

“Maybe you’ll make a model with the kids of one of our 26 centres, bake 26 cookies or knit 26 hats? Or you could take part by creating a JustGiving page and sharing your Maggie’s story with 26 friends and asking them to donate.”

Zoe’s Place encourages people to help Zoe’s Bear raise funds for the popular baby hospice.

“Ask the kids to create their own challenge around the number 26 or 2.6 that suits their skills,” it says. “Film and send us the challenges and we will put them on our Facebook page.”

The 2.6 Challenge has been created to help charities recover some of the funding they would have received from events which have had to be cancelled in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic effect with the cancellation of thousands of events and the loss of billions in income through fundraising events,” say organisers of the 2.6 Challenge.

“Many of these charities have had to reduce or stop services at a time when vulnerable members of society need them most; thousands of staff have been placed on furlough – and many charities will not survive the next few months.”

The 2.6 Challenge is a way for people to still raise valuable funds for charitable causes, and is being held on Sunday April 26, the day when the world’s largest one-day fundraising event, The Virgin Money London Marathon, should have taken place.

Last year alone it raised more than £66.4 million for thousands of charities.

“The 2.6 Challenge can be any activity you like,” add the organisers, “from running 2.6 miles to holding an online workout with 26 of your friends.

“Whatever your age or ability, you can take part. After all, we’re not looking for superheroes. We’re looking for Home Heroes.”

You can find more ideas of what you can do to help on the official #TwoPointSixChallenge website here.

Or to help Maggies Merseyside go to the website here.

And for Zoe’s Place, log onto the official website and/or listen to Zoe’s Bear’s appeal for support on Facebook.