The Covid-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic effect with the cancellation of thousands of events and the loss of billions in income through fundraising events. The Virgin Money London Marathon alone, which should have taken place on Sunday 26 April, is the world’s biggest one-day fundraising event, which raised more than £66.4 million for thousands of charities in 2019. Many of these charities have had to reduce or stop services at a time when vulnerable members of society need them most; thousands of staff have been placed on furlough and many charities will not survive the next few months.

Yesterday the country was encouraged to join in and take part in the ‘2.6 Challenge’ to help save the UK's charities. The idea was to dream up an activity based around the numbers 2.6 or 26 and complete it on Sunday 26 April – when the 40th London Marathon would have taken place.

Members of staff from across the Kedleston Group decided to have a go to raise money and awareness by taking part in a varied selection of activities including planking, creating digital artwork, gardening and baking – all linking in with the number 26! Well done everyone, what a fantastic effort!