With the Covid-19 pandemic having a catastrophic effect with the cancellation of thousands of events and the loss of billions in income through fundraising events, the 2.6 Challenge, running from 26 April to 1 May, has seen thousands rally to the cause of helping charities stay afloat.

Encouraging people to fund raise for a cause of their choice through any activity based around the numbers 2 and 6, the 2.6 Challenge is named in reference to the Virgin Money London Marathon, the world’s biggest one-day fundraising event, which should have taken place on Sunday 26 April and raised more than £66.4 million for charities in 2019.

Team Scotland stars past and present have risen to the challenge. Here’s a quick round up of just some of the ways they have been getting involved:

Euan Burton (Judo), David Carry (Swimming), Colin Fleming (Tennis), Jen McIntosh (Shooting), Grace Reid (Diving) – #26OlympiansChallenge

Euan, David, Colin, Jen and Grace, all gold medallists for Team Scotland at Commonwealth Games between 2006 and 2018, joined fellow Olympians for the #26OlympiansChallenge on Sunday 26 April. They hosted a full-body workout inspired by each athlete’s sport with a real insight to what it takes to be an Olympian and have so far raised over £11,000 for various charities.

26 Olympians’ Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/team/26olympianschallenge

Steph Twell (Athletics) – 2.6 Mile Virtual Relay

On the day that she and thousands of others should have been running the London Marathon, Delhi 2010 bronze medallist over 1500m Steph Twell joined 11 fellow British elite marathon runners for a virtual relay of 2.6 miles each to raise money for the charity Mind, raising over £3,000.

Marathon Runners’ Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/britishmarathonwomen

*IT TAKES A MARATHON EFFORT* Our charities need us!Enjoy mine & other marathon ladies twist on turning our mental milestones of running 26.2 miles @LondonMarathon into something positive.We are fundraising for @MindCharity & you can too in #TwoPointSixChallenge @WomensSport pic.twitter.com/IEdh8N1A28

— Steph Twell (@StefApril) April 26, 2020

Jamie Quarry (Athletics) – Final 26.2 km of Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle

Bronze medallist for Team Scotland in the Decathlon in 2002, Jamie cycled 1084 miles – the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats – over 13 days, dedicating the final 26.2 miles to the 2.6 Challenge in aid of Cancer Research.

Jamie’s Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jamie-s-26-2-challenge

Toni Shaw (Para-Swimming) – 26 activities on 26 April

On 26 April Toni, Team Scotland’s youngest competitor at Gold Coast 2018, World record holder in the S9 200m Butterfly and six time World Championship medallist, joined eight time Paralympic swimming medallist and World Para-Triathlon champion Claire Cashmore and a host of others for 26 activities all based around the number 26. They were raising money in aid of Tree of Hope, who support the families of seriously ill and disabled children, and Reach, who help children with upper limb differences live a life without limit.

Neil Fachie (Para-Cycling) – 26 roll outs

Fourteen times World Champion, four time Paralympic Games gold medallist and Team Scotland’s most successful para-sport athlete of all time with four Commonwealth Games gold medals, Neil challenged himself to complete 26 roll outs in aid of the Sea Shell Trust, which supports children and young adults with profound disabilities and additional communication needs.

Neil’s Virgin Money Giving page: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NeilFachie

2.6 Challenge

26 rollouts from my feet for @seashelltrust

Video analysis would suggest my range could be better, but you know what, if you think you can do better, then be my guest (and donate).https://t.co/wBSF6iTqo5#TwoPointSixChallenge pic.twitter.com/S5hwKOu8Wo

— Neil Fachie MBE (@neilfachie) April 26, 2020

Duncan Mathieson (Athletics) – 12 hour non-stop cycle

Former decathlete and silver medallist for Team Scotland in the 4x400m Relay at the 1990 Commonwealth Games, Duncan completed the incredible challenge of cycling for 12 hours without stopping on 26 April. He has raised over £11,000 for Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Duncan’s Give Penny page: https://givepenny.com/duncanmathieson_12_hours_for_acorns

Micky Yule (Para-Powerlifting) – 26 reps of 100kg bench press

A Paralympian with two fourth place finishes at the Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland in Para-Powerlifting, Micky showed his super strength by bench pressing 100kg 26 times.

#2point6challenge 26/7 😉 reps on 100kg for @ParalympicsGB #noexcuses pic.twitter.com/A31DzIKWEe

— Micky Yule (@MickyYule9) April 26, 2020

You can find out more about the 2.6 Challenge at: https://www.twopointsixchallenge.co.uk/