NSPCC Cymru fundraising colleagues take on 2.6 Challenge to help safeguard children

•  #TeamNSPCC gearing up for 2.6 Challenge launch on Sunday 26 April
• NSPCC supporters aim to bridge £1.2million gap usually raised for the children’s charity through the London Marathon
• NSPCC adapting the way it works so it’s still here for children when they need it most

NSPCC Cymru / Wales fundraising colleagues will be taking on their own challenge as part of the 2.6 Challenge that’s being launched this Sunday to help charities raise money at a time when funding has dropped significantly.

The children’s charity, which relies on public support for 90% of its income, would have had 500 supporters taking on the 40^th London Marathon this Sunday, pushing themselves around the 26.2-mile course to raise money for #TeamNSPCC.

Head of Supporter Fundraising for Wales, Nigel Impey said: “The London Marathon raises around £1.2million for the NSPCC each year, and understandably that isn’t possible this year, so we’re encouraging people to support our charity in other ways, including virtual and home-based challenges.

“Another way is to join the 2.6 Challenge, and that’s exactly what we’re doing as a team on Sunday, leading by example to help raise money so that the charity can continue its vital work supporting the region’s children and their families.”

The NSPCC has been adapting the way it works so that it is still here for children and their families who need its support through its direct services, as well as its Childline service and the NSPCC Helpline for adults worried about the wellbeing of a child.

Colleagues in the charity’s community fundraising team are willing each other on for the marathon challenge by running, walking and hula hooping.

Emma Brennan, Supporter Fundraising Manager for Wales, will be running 2.6 miles for her leg of the challenge, despite a severe dislike of running.

She said: “More children are reaching out to Childline worried about the Coronavirus, families are struggling to adapt to lockdown, and with schools closed many vulnerable children are at risk.

“We want to ensure we can continue to be here for children, so we’ve organised our own challenge to celebrate how we can still be part of a team even if we aren’t all together, and to show how simple it is to get involved.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait to see how my colleagues get on with their own challenges.”

Emma’s Cardiff-based colleague, Tracey Hepburn said: “I am challenging myself to walk 2.6 miles with my dog.

“I am struggling to do the simplest of tasks at the moment, but by doing my bit and being part of a team we can maximise our impact in ensuring that the NSPCC is still here for children.”

The money raised will help support NSPCC services, including Childline which has seen an increasing number of contacts from children who feel anxious and scared about what’s happening.

Childline counsellors have answered calls from children trapped in homes that aren’t safe, and they’ve also spoken to children with suicidal thoughts and feelings, who feel they have no one else to turn to.

It costs £4 for a trained volunteer counsellor to answer a child’s call for help to Childline.

£27 could pay for a Childline supervisor for one hour, supporting volunteer counsellors.

£190 could pay for one Childline supervisor shift, supporting volunteer counsellors.

£1,250 could pay to run Childline for an average of one hour.

Nigel said: “There are lots of charities that will be taking part in the 2.6 challenge on Sunday, and at the NSPCC our workers, volunteers and supporters are getting involved too.

“We’d love other people to join #TeamNSPCC, by thinking of an activity or challenge based around the number 2.6 or 26.

“It’s a challenge anyone can get involved with, and all we ask is that it follows the Government guidelines on exercise and social distancing.”

Community Fundraising Manager for North Wales, Jess Finnegan said: “Some of us will be walking, roller-skating or running 2.6 miles, whilst others will be hula hooping for 26 minutes.

“I have an injury at the moment, so I can’t run or do much sport so I’m pushing my limits and taking on this walk with 26kg of weight.”

Nigel added: “I will be dribbling a football for 2.6 miles in the park across the road from my house – that’s a lot of laps of a very small park.

“I’ll be getting out early in the day when it’s most quiet. Anyone can do something, and something is always better than nothing.

“It’s a way to have fun, encourage others to get involved, even if you’re not together, and it will help ensure that the NSPCC is still here for children.”

For more information on how to sign up to the 2.6 challenge in aid of the NSPCC visit the NSPCC website and for more about the challenge Nigel, Emma, Jess and Tracey are involved in visit their JustGiving page.

Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC helpline for free and confidential advice on 0808 800 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk

Children can contact Childline for free on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk 365 days a year, and speak to a counsellor about a worry or concern they may have.