The Covid-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic effect on charity in the UK, with the cancellation of thousands of events and the loss of billions in income through fundraising events. The London Marathon alone, which should have taken place on Sunday 26 April raised more than £66.4 million for thousands of charities in 2019.

We Love MCR are not exempt from the effects of this, as this year we have had to postpone our biggest fundraising events, including a firewalk in the heart of Manchester city centre and a massive wave of bees running in the Manchester 10K! This means tens of thousands in lost donations, and endangers our ability to provide support to Manchester people and groups who need it most. However in true Mancunian spirit, we are not going to let anything stop us and are determined to make the most of lockdown by partnering with MCRactive to embark on the 2.6 Challenge! Read more on our website at this address: www.welovemcrcharity.org/twopointsixchallenge

That 26th April London Marathon date is the inspiration for the 2.6 Challenge, where people do fundraising events & activities based around the numbers 2.6 or 26! Everything from doing 26 forward rolls in the garden to crazy dancing for 2.6 minutes to your favourite Manc band! The sky is the limit, and we have posted a list below of the top 26 we come up with!

1: 260/2600 garden trampoline bounces in an hour  

 2: 260 throw ball and catch it between 2 or more of you without dropping it  

 3: 2600 steps up and down stairs (prob about 100 flights up and down)  

 4: 26 football headers  

 5: 26 forward rolls  

 6: Do something for each letter of the alphabet (26)  

 7: 2600 skips  

 8: Juggle for 2.6mins  

 9: Crazy dance / karaoke for 2.6m to your favourite home-grown band!)  

 10: Hold the plank for 26 seconds  

 11: How many balloon can you blow up in 26 seconds  

 12: 26 hula hoops  

 13: 26 step ups on the bottom of the stairs  

 14: 26 bicep curls with a tin of beans  

 15: 26 minutes of silence  

 16: 26 shots in a row (ball in bucket, not alcohol!)  

 17: Interval training 26 seconds walk 26 seconds jog / run for 26 minutes  

 18: Cover 2.6km in the most novel way (e.g. pogo stick, hopping, wheelbarrow race, in fancy dress etc.)  

 19: 26 things you can get in a matchbox  

 20: Walk 26 steps with a book balanced on your head  

 21: Call 26 contacts from your phone and say hi  

 22: Meditate for 2.6 minutes / 26 minutes  

 23: Leapfrogging 26 times  

 24: 26 keepy uppies with something that isnt a football  

 25: Holding a musical note for 26 seconds (I.e. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)  

 26: 26 runs / bike rides 2.6 miles every day for 26 consecutive days

With Manchester in lockdown, your routines will have been thrown into disarray. To make the best of things, MCRactive (a not for profit organisation established and overseen by Manchester City Council), are working to support all residents of Manchester by sharing guidance and inspiration on the many ways you can feel healthy and well in your mind and body. They are our natural partners for an initiative like this, and we are happy to be encouraging Mancunians to get active and healthy and fundraise for us alongside them!

Across Manchester, MCRactive promote daily messages and updates to the city across their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels. The 2.6 challenge provides the perfect opportunity to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of Manchester. Whatever challenge you take up, follow, connect and share with @MCRactive and us @MCR_Charity on twitter with a short video, image, creative idea or message. MCRactive are happy to receive these direct to: info@mcractive.com or through their social channels, and we can be reached at welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.uk

Now more than ever is the time for us to consider our levels of physical activity, whilst recognising and sharing those small moments of happiness in our days. Stay safe, move more when and where you can, widen and embrace your virtual social connections, and look after yourself and your loved ones.

And let us see some great examples of Mancunians taking up the 2.6 challenge!

Create a fundraising page through the Start Fundraising button on this page, and join other enthusiastic fundraisers helping Manchesters own charity through this crisis.

Good luck and thank you!