Leading mental health and wellbeing charity, Shaw Mind, is urging mental health champions to take part in the national Two Point Six Challenge on Sunday 26th April.
The Two Point Six Challenge takes place on Sunday 26th April to raise vital funds in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown.
Newark-based Shaw Mind, a charity which supports those experiencing mental ill health, has adapted its usual weekly community outreach groups into online, telephone, text and email support sessions in light of the nation-wide lockdown.
The charity has received more and more calls for support as the lockdown has remained in place and expects call numbers to increase as the health crisis continues.
The Two Point Six Challenge has been created by the team at Virgin Money London Marathon, in light of the postponement of the 40th annual marathon, which helped charities raise more than £66.4 million in 2019.
Those who are keen to raise funds for the mental health charity are encouraged to take up an activity around the numbers two and six. That could be a 2.6 mile walk with the dog, a run with the family or a solo bike ride, while sticking within the Government’s guidelines for exercise and social distancing.
Peter Wingrove, Operations Director at Shaw Mind, said: “Like so many in the charity sector, Shaw Mind has felt a massive impact to its 2020 fundraising, which is vital to keep us afloat and our services available to all those who are experiencing mental ill health especially now, when 1 in 3 people are reportedly suffering.
“The Two Point Six Campaign will allow us to rally mental health champions, who recognise that our accessible services are providing essential support to people in their own homes at this incredibly difficult time, and hopefully beyond lockdown as we all learn to cope with a new normal.
“Huge thanks to everyone who is interested in fundraising for us. Be as creative as you want when it comes to your activity, a run or a walk might work for some, whereas a fun world record attempt might be the way for others. Whatever you choose to do, we wish you the very best of luck!”
“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.”
“For many of the UK’s charities, the day of the London Marathon is the biggest fundraising day of the year,” said Hugh Brasher, Co-Chair of MSO and Event Director of London Marathon Events. “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.”
Anyone wishing to take part in the campaign and fundraise for Shaw Mind can do so via the charity’s JustGiving page click here, or through a similar platform.
Those wishing to donate their fundraising efforts directly can do so via the ‘Donate’ page on the Shaw Mind website
Those taking part in the campaign on Sunday 26th April are encouraged to share their activities on social media using the hashtag #twopointsixchallenge and tag in the charity, which will share content throughout the day.
