Animal lovers and their pets will be taking to their feet tomorrow for the big 2.6 Challenge – the fundraiser filling the void left by the London Marathon.
The RSPCA would normally expect to net £25,000 from runners taking part in the annual 26-mile race.
But when it was postponed due to coronavirus, officials from a string of charities came up with the idea of using April 26 for any safe event involving the digits 2 and 6.
Step forward Richard Purchase, from Dorset, who will run the equivalent of a marathon on a treadmill in his garage.
Richard, 56, says: “I’m reasonably fit but I’ve never run a marathon before so we will see how this goes!
“I’ve always been an animal lover but this struck a chord with me after seeing posts on Facebook about how much the RSPCA is struggling at the moment.”
Richard hopes to be cheered on by friends and family via video calls and will also be supported by his golden retriever, Reggie.
Meanwhile, Mycroft – the RSPCA rescue cat – will be doing his own mini marathon in aid of the charity.
The puss and his owner Amanda Jones, from Horsham, West Sussex, will attempt 2.6 laps of their block in what is being dubbed a “mogathon”.
Amanda, who works for the RSPCA, said: “I adopted Mycroft 18 months ago from the RSPCA, where he had been waiting for a loving home for six months.
“He’d had a tricky start in life which meant he couldn’t be rehomed with other animals or children.
“Mycroft likes to accompany me on my daily exercise around the block and 2.6 times is enough of a challenge for his little legs. I’ll have to wait and see whether he’ll agree to it – he’s definitely his own cat!”
Support
So far, the virus has had a huge effect on RSPCA fundraising. Its frontline staff – designated key workers – are caring for more than 4,000 animals, including 600 taken in since the lockdown began.
Supporters are being encouraged to do what they can for the 2.6 Challenge. It could be a 2.6 kilometre run in an animal onesie or even just 26 throws of the ball for your pooch.
- For further details, visit the 2.6 Challenge page on the RSPCA website. To support either Richard or Mycroft and Amanda, visit the JustGiving website and tap in their name.
