CORONAVIRUS: Weston Park Cancer Charity urges 2.6 Challenge fundraising

It will raise vital cash this Sunday for UK charities suffering from the loss of billions in income due to charity events being called off due to the coronavirus crisis.

Fundraising is being encouraged based around the number 26 - such as walking around your garden 26 times or hosting a Zoom party with 26 guests – after the cancellation of the 26-mile Virgin Money London Marathon, which should have been held on April 26.

The marathon, which would have celebrated its 40th outing, is the world’s biggest one-day fundraising event and raised more than £66.4 million last year for thousands of charities including Sheffield’s Weston Park Cancer Charity.

The charity depends on at least £2million in donations each year just to keep going, to help, support and improve the quality of lives of people battling cancer in South Yorkshire and beyond.

Now it hopes generous folk, staying safe at home in lockdown, will raise cash via the Virgin Money Giving organised 2.6 Campaign.

DONATE HERE: To make a Weston Park Cancer Charity donation via the Virgin Money Giving site visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com and for more about the 2.6 Campaign visit at twopointsixchallenge.co.uk.

Samantha Dixon, CEO of Weston Park Cancer Charity,, which is celebrating its 5oth anniversary, said: “Every one of us will have to face cancer at some point, either themselves or with someone they love.

"The current COVID-19 outbreak is particularly challenging for anyone living with and beyond cancer which is why Weston Park Cancer Charity promises to be there for cancer patients and their families, together at every step.

"So, I’m encouraging everyone to get involved with The 2.6 Challenge so that we can be ready for anyone affected by cancer during these challenging and uncertain times."

Weston Park Cancer Charity’s director of fundraising and marketing, Catherine Rhone, said: “The 2.6 Challenge can be anything that works for you.

“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 do it for the challenge. Do it for the team. Do it for a laugh. Do it because you’ve never done anything like it before. Do it for South Yorkshire.

Do it to feel good, do good and look good. Do it to change everything for someone with cancer.

“Whatever your motivation, keep it up – your gift could help someone in financial crisis, it might help someone feel less alone or it could help frontline NHS staff during the crisis. These things are only possible because of you.

"And don’t forget that 2020 is Weston Park Hospital’s 50th anniversary year – let’s make it a really special one for our NHS colleagues caring for vulnerable people affected by cancer.”

Everyone participating in The 2.6 Challenge is urged to follow Government guidelines - only go out once a day for exercise, either alone or with members of your household. You are urged to stay local and always keep more than two metres away from other people at all times.

LINKS:

Weston Park Cancer Charity

Web: www.westonpark.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WestonParkCancerCharity

Twitter: @wpcancercharity

Instagram: www.linkedin.com/company/weston-park-hospital-cancer-charity

2.6 Challenge/London Marathon

Web: twopointsixchallenge.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LondonMarathon

Twitter: @LondonMarathon #TwoPointSixChallenge

Instagram: www.instagram.com/londonmarathon