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Westhay - Matt Sweeting

2.6 Challenge

What's it all about?

It won’t come as a surprise to you to hear that, with the cancellation of thousands of events and fundraising activities, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic effect for UK charities. Many charities, including ourselves, have had to reduce or stop important work and place a large proportion of staff on furlough. Sadly, many charities will not survive the next few months.

For us, it further compounds the uncertain financial position we were already in, with the impending departure from the EU and changes in agri-environment schemes. When we return to our work, keeping the natural world on the agenda and coping with the longer term financial impacts that the crisis will have on our organisation will require all our focus and resolve. We anticipate difficult times ahead. But knowing how many of you are so passionate about our cause and wildlife in Somerset, we know that with your support we will get through these difficult times.

And on that note, we've had some positive news…. a small spark of hope!

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This Sunday, one of those cancelled fundraising events was due to take place - The Virgin Money London Marathon - which raised more than £66.4 million for thousands of charities in 2019. This year we'd secured a charity place and also had another runner taking part to raise funds for us.  Sadly for both of them, and us, they cannot run this weekend.

But….here’s the brilliant bit.  The clever people that organise this event and other mass participation events have come together to create The 2.6 Challenge, a new nationwide fundraising campaign launched in response to COVID-19 to help Save the UK's Charities.  Based on the marathon length of 26 miles (or 2.6 for short) the 2.6 Challenge runs for a week and launches this Sunday, and we’ve decided to join in alongside other charities and hope that you will support it too - and in doing so help raise funds for our work that we will so desperately need. 

There's two ways you can help

Donate

We understand that you are also going through difficult times. But if you are able to make a donation we would be immensely grateful. Please click below, and select the donate option to do just that. It could be £26, £2.60 or any amount at all  - whatever is affordable. It all adds up and will support our work to make a difference to Somerset’s wildlife and natural environment in what are desperately worrying times for us. 

Donate now

Challenge yourself

Take up a 2.6 Challenge - for fundraising and for fun! This could be something as simple as walking or running 2.6 miles, 2.6 kms - or 26 press-ups, 26 minutes walking round the garden or identifying 26 birds in a week. Simply click below,  set up a fundraising page and see what you can do alongside thousands of other people across the UK. Go for it!

Challenge yourself

Need some inspiration?

If you want some inspiration for what to do click below! Or dream up your own wildlife themed ones? Perhaps you could spot 26 birds in a week? Draw 26 species using our spotter guides? Or name as many insects as you can in 2.6 minutes?

Find out more

Ask your friends to sponsor you or donate and then challenge them to do their own challenge. We would love it if you could share a photo or video of your challenge on social media with the hashtag  #TwoPointSixChallenge and tag in SomersetWT. The 2.6 Challenge is open to anyone of any age and – the only requirement is that the activity must follow the Government guidelines on exercise and social distancing and remember to stay local.

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