We’ve been shining the spotlight on some of our heroes of the coronavirus lockdown. This week we salute people who are giving up their time to help struggling charities.

Due to anti-virus restrictions, charity events across the UK have been cancelled. This has caused a huge reduction in donations to organisations both big and small. To combat the loss, the 2.6 Challenge has been launched as part of a Save the UK Charities campaign by Mass Participation Sports Organisers (MSO) group.

Celebrities across the country have raised the profile of the initiative taking part in various challenges, be it running 2.6 miles or baking 26 cupcakes! Jessica Ennis Hill, Jonny Wilkinson, Dame Kelly Holmes and Chris Kamara are amongst those who have pledged to complete a range of tasks and donated to their chosen charities.

Try the unusual

But don’t let celebrities have all the fun! To give you some inspiration to start your own fundraiser we’ve picked out a few unusual challenge examples below.

Bolton teenager Luke Batty is in the British Para-Swimming Academy and has neglected his usual sport to complete a special 2.6 triathlon. By walking 2 miles, running 6 miles and cycling 26 miles he has raised nearly £400 for Sports Aid and contributed £100 to NHS Charities Together. Sports Aid helps promising young British athletes both financially and with personal development opportunities.

Our own Amanda Merrick has challenged herself to climb 26 flights of stairs, the equivalent of the height of Westminster Abbey, and run 2,600 metres, every day for 26 days. Amanda is hoping to raise money through Just Giving for BASIC (Brain and Spinal Injury Centre) but is encouraging any donations to your preferred charity.

If you’re not the sporting type, follow in the footsteps of Star Wars fan Joshua Reeves. To raise money for National Star, a disability support charity close to his heart, Joshua pledged to watch all 11 Star Wars movies back-to-back. It took 25 hours without sleep but he has now raised more than £500, nearly doubt his £300 target!

National Star encourages people with disabilities to reach their potential as equal and active citizens. It does this through its college, training schemes, work in the community and specialist therapy and health services. At 23, Joshua is a disability rights campaigner and credits National Star College with developing his confidence within the community.

Puppy power

Why not get your pets involved? Dora the pug is walking 26 miles over 11 days to raise money for Support Dogs. The charity provides, trains and supports assistance dogs for individuals suffering from seizures, autism and various other disabilities. What could be a more appropriate way to support this important charity. Well done to owner and brains behind the operation Danielle Elliot.

Chocolatier Oli Dunn has put a sweet spin on the 2.6 Challenge by creating a 2.6 metre long chocolate bar. The crazy creation is being offered as a prize for anyone who donates via their link to The Seashell Trust. This is a national charity that provides education and care to children and young adults with complex learning difficulties. The supersized bar has raised more than £1,000.

If you would like to get involved, check out the challenges suggested on the 2.6 Challenge website. Or if that’s not for you, donate what you can to help your favourite charity.