Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale is asking individuals and businesses to get involved in the national 2.6 Challenge to raise vital funds to help it support older, isolated and vulnerable people in the local community.
Jeff Hawkins, the charity’s CEO states:
‘As a small, local charity with limited funds, our resources are under huge strain and our infrastructure at risk. We are therefore urging individuals and businesses to help us continue our vital work by participating in the 2.6 Challenge and donate or fundraise for Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale so that pressure on our charity infrastructure will not weigh us down at a time when we are needed so much’.
Thousands of fundraising events across the UK have been cancelled due to Covid-19 with a devastating impact on charity income that means many charities are facing closure. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) CEO Karl Wilding estimates that the UK charity sector will lose £4 billion in income as a result of the pandemic. With these stark statistics in mind, local charity Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale is asking that individuals and businesses keep their support within their local communities and take part in the 2.6 Challenge to raise much-needed funds to support its vital work supporting vulnerable older people.
The 2.6 Challenge launched on Sunday 26 April – what should have been the date of the 40th edition of the now postponed London Marathon. From Sunday 26 April, the public is asked to dream up an activity based around the numbers 2.6 or 26 and fundraise or donate to Save the UK’s Charities via twopointsixchallenge.co.uk. The 2.6 Challenge is open to anyone of any age – the only requirement is that the activity must follow the Government guidelines on exercise and social distancing.
The challenge can be anything – something as simple as pledging to run or ride 2.6 miles as your daily exercise, holding the plank for 2.6 minutes, shooting 26 goals or hula hooping for 26 times! As well as individual challenges, Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale is asking supporters to roll up their sleeves and get baking in its 2.6 Bake for Charity Challenge. All participants need to do is choose a bake of choice, bake it, share the recipe and a picture of the baked creation on the Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale Facebook page, make a £5 donation to the charity and nominate five friends to continue the baking challenge.
Karen Steele, Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale Marketing Manager explains: ‘Our charity is receiving hundreds of calls every day from concerned older people and their families and we are working hard to carry out shopping and prescription collections as well as stay connected with the most isolated by telephone.
During these unprecedented times, it’s hard to know how to help and contribute while still adhering to government guidelines. As we’ve seen with some wonderful stories such as Captain Tom’s astounding fundraising efforts – the 2.6 Challenge is something that anyone of any age can do and with limited space! Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale is asking you, your family, friends and your colleagues to get creative, get involved and support our local charity work – you will be making a vital difference to vulnerable and isolated older people living in you local community who need us now more than ever.’
To find out how you can donate or fundraise to support Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale visit: www.ageconnectscardiff.org.uk or call 02920 683 604.
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