The Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has had a devastating effect on the third sector, with the cancellation of thousands of charity events and fundraising activities. The 2.6 Challenge is aiming to help combat these issues and the billions of lost income for the third sector. We are asking you to join in and help us make a difference.

From Sunday 26 April 2020, fun and simple activities under one banner will kick off across the region, celebrating the famous London Marathon distance of 26 miles.

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has seen the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon due to take place on 26 April be postponed to Sunday 4 October. The London Marathon is the world’s biggest one-day fundraising event, which raised more than £66.4 million for thousands of charities in 2019.

With this event postponement and thousands more like it, this has had a catastrophic impact on the third sector’s income that means many charities are facing a significant reduction of their services for those who need it most, or worse, closure.

To help combat this loss, the brains behind the London Marathon are now asking you to get behind the 2.6 Challenge instead, getting people to safely come together across the country and raise money for their chosen charity with a challenge of their choice. The activity should be themed around the number 26 or 2.6 celebrating the famous run – the only requirement is that your challenge must follow your Government guidelines on exercise and social distancing!

Anyone can get involved and you could do your activity from the living room, bedroom, balcony or garden!  Why not visit the 2.6 Challenge website to get inspired for your challenge and see how it all works – please click here.

The money you raise from your activity can be donated straight to you chosen charity, and we would love for you to support Stop Hunger’s charity partners. The charities listed below are all continuing to provide valuable services to the most vulnerable in society during this difficult time.

• Coram - The UK's oldest children's charity that aims to give children the best possible chance to live a fulfilling life.
• FareShare - The food re-distribution charity that saves good food destined for waste and re-directs it to charities and community groups who transform it into nutritious meals for vulnerable people.
• Trussell Trust - Is a network of more than 400 foodbanks, giving emergency food and support to people in crisis across the UK, where 13 million people live below the poverty line.
• SSAFA - The armed forces charity- Is the UK's oldest national Armed Forces charity that exists to relieve need, suffering and distress amongst the Armed Forces, veterans and their families in order to support their independence and dignity.
• Marine Conservation Society (MCS) - The Marine Conservation Society is the UK's leading marine environment, not-for-profit organisation. It works for the increased protection of the seas around the United Kingdom.

If you are unable to get involved with the 2.6 Challenge, we would ask you to donate to the Stop Hunger emergency relief fund – click here to make a donation. All the funds raised via this link will go directly to the Trussell Trust and FareShare.