How Team RNIB is responding to The 2.6 Challenge

From 2,600 penalty to kicks to doing 26 miles on a treadmill, Team RNIB is responding to The 2.6 Challenge with lots of creativity before its launch on Sunday (26 April).

Like most charities, our fundraising activity has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with many fundraising events postponed or cancelled. So we're excited to join the 2.6 Challenge, a national virtual challenge event supporting RNIB and other UK charities on the original date of the 2020 London Marathon, the world’s biggest one-day annual fundraising event which has been postponed. 

Alex McDowell, head of public fundraising at RNIB, explains: "The 2.6 Challenge is a great idea and it's allowed Team RNIB to be very creative in their fundraising. As the organisers suggest all you need to do is pick a challenge that involves 2.6 or 26. This could be a 2.6 mile run - within your daily exercise allowance, of course - doing 26 press-ups, or even hosting an online quiz with 26 friends."

Follow Team RNIB's progress in The 2.6 Challenge

Here are just some of the challenges and committed challengers from Team RNIB:

• 2,600 penalty kicks by David Clarke, director of services at RNIB: "I am dusting off my old football boots which were retired after the 2012 Paralympics and taking 2,600 penalties over the next week. I would be immensely grateful if you could donate towards this cause. Thank you."

• 26 miles on a treadmill by Lizzie Tovey: "Now, you’ll all think I’m mad, especially given the state of my health, but I’ve decided to take on the 2.6 challenge!

  "I’m aiming to - no I’m going to -  complete a marathon distance of 26.2 miles between my fourth and fifth chemo cycles.  I had my fourth cycle on 23 April, and my fifth cycle will be 21 days after that.  I’m doing this crazy thing to raise some funds for the RNIB, which was my chosen London Marathon charity."
  
  

  
   
• 26 miles by bike by Matthew Cooke - Matthew, a Doctor, and two friends are cycling 26 miles: "RNIB helped one of us when he lost his sight. As NHS staff we all see the impact of COVID on individuals. If you cannot see, life is more difficult than usual with social distancing, isolation and shopping challenges. RNIB's help is needed more than ever." Matthew has also planned a virtual cycle ride from John O’Groats to Lands' end.
   
• 26 books read by five-year-old Seren - "I am five and I am going to read 26 books to raise funds."