More than £6 million has been raised for UK charities thorough the 2.6 Challenge, this year's replacement for the London Marathon.

The 2.6 Challenge was designed by mass-participation event organisers, including the London Marathon, to help the UK charity sector plug the £4bn shortfall expected as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The challenge took place yesterday, Sunday 26 April – the date when the annual London Marathon was scheduled to take place – and asked people to come together to raise money for chosen charities by taking part in an activity around the numbers 2.6 or 26.

It has so far raised more than £6 million as thousands of of people young & old took to social media to support the challenge.

Challenges included riding a unicorn 26.2 feet, 26 backflips, various kinds of marathon relays and 260 burpees wearing a Nicholas Cage face mask.

London Marathon events director, Hugh Brasher said: “The response we have had to The 2.6 Challenge has been incredible. It has been so inspiring to see the nation come together - from superstar celebrities to young children – to help save the UK’s charities.

“The best of Great Britain’s society shines through whenever we have our backs to the wall. People have been in their houses now for over a month and I think many of us feel helpless. While we understand the necessity to stay at home to save the NHS, many of us want to do something additional to help those in greatest need and The 2.6 Challenge allows us to do that, to get active and to help save the UK’s charities."

Yesterday was the start of the campaign and millions of pounds more are expected to be raised over the coming week as people continue to take part in the challenge.

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