Nottingham-based children’s charity, Footprints CEC, has seen an overwhelming amount of support as it takes part in the national 2.6 Challenge.

Supporters have been taking part since Sunday, with one long-standing service-user taking on a tandem bike ride across Nottingham with his dad.

Joseph, who is 15 and has Down’s syndrome, rode from West Bridgford to Beeston and back with his dad Les. He aimed to ride 26km but managed to top that by riding a total distance of 32.80km.

The original fundraising target was £500, and he has so far raised over £3,500 for the charity, which has supported them since Joseph was one.

In line with the rules of the national campaign, the charity invited people to complete an activity or challenge based around the numbers 2.6 or 26, on or from Sunday, 26th April. The aim is to raise vital funds which are currently down at the charity by over 40% because of the pandemic.

Footprints – which provides conductive education learning for children across the East Midlands with mobility or communication difficulties – will use all funds raised through the 2.6 Challenge to deliver its specialist services, which families rely on for their child’s development.

Thousands of charities across the UK are taking part in the 2.6 Challenge, set up by the organisers of the London Marathon, which was due to take place on 26th April. It is usually the world’s biggest one-day fundraising event, raising more than £66.4 million in 2019.

It is one of many fundraising events that has been cancelled as a result of the current pandemic, resulting in huge loses for the not for profit sector.

Footprints, which currently provides conductive education services for 60 local children, hopes lots of people will get involved to support them, particularly during this time when community and supporting others is more important than ever.

Nathalie Bailey-Flitter, manager at Footprints CEC said: “This challenge is an incredible opportunity for us to raise vital funds for our charity. We rely heavily on fundraising events, which of course have all been cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re currently fighting to stay afloat so we can continue to teach essential life skills that many non-disabled people take for granted. All of the money we raise is used to better the lives of the children and their families.

“We’re calling on the people of Nottingham and beyond to take part in this challenge and support Footprints in doing so. Whether it’s a 26-minute dance-off and a 26-stop circuit garden workout, anyone can join in! Whatever you do, please make sure you donate as much as you can to our cause. From £2.60 to £260 – every penny makes the difference to our children.”

Footprints recently suffered as a result of the cancellation of The London Landmarks Half Marathon last month. They had 15 runners taking part in the race with an expected income of £20,000 from the one event.

You can support Footprints and their fundraising campaign using the 2.6 Challenge Just Giving link here: https://twopointsixchallenge.justgiving.com/get-involved?charityId=187904&iesrc=ctr

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