With UK fundraising events – like the 26-mile London Marathon – postponed, Oxfam asked you to fundraise from home. You picked 26 or 2.6 things to do for a challenge of your own.
And… you absolutely smashed it!
We’re overwhelmed by the creativity of our wonderful supporters who have raised an incredible £26k so far. Funds raised will make a huge difference to people living in poverty and help us to tackle the coronavirus pandemic in communities worldwide. Thank you.
Here are some of our favourites…
1. Andy, the intrepid banister climber
70 year-old long-time Oxfam supporter, Andy put his own spin on the 2.6 Challenge to raise money for Oxfam. As an experienced climber, he decided to rock the home bouldering lockdown craze and climb the inside of his house 26 times without touching the stairs!
Image: Andy Hemsted
“As a boy, I climbed lots of trees, it’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing. I’m lucky that I can carry on climbing at my age,” Andy says.
“My wife and I have supported Oxfam for many years, but now Oxfam is losing revenue as shops are closed and events cancelled. At the same time there are crises all round the world due to Covid-19, in countries which have far fewer resources than the UK, so that’s what drove me to fundraise.”
“I’ve climbed in the Dolomites and Snowdonia, but the banister will have to do for the time being until we are allowed to travel again”.
We’re pleased to say he completed it in record time and is safely back on solid ground.
2. Strictly’s Katya Jones made 26 upcycled face masks
For her #TwoPointSixChallenge, @bbcstrictly star @Mrs_katjones is taking on the incredible task of making 26 face masks out of #sustainable clothing! 👕✨ All funds raised will go directly to the people living in poverty around the world 💚#FashionRevolution #Reuse #Recycle pic.twitter.com/1wrmWmPugI
— Oxfam (@oxfamgb) April 25, 2020
For her 2.6 challenge, BBC’s Katya completed the incredible task of making 26 face masks out of sustainable clothing.
3. Sydney the dachshund catches a ball 26 times
Meet Sydney. He is the lovely dog of one of our trustees who today is taking on the #TwoPointSixChallenge for Oxfam by trying to bring his ball back 26 times 🐶💚 We’ve heard he isn’t the best at fetch but will certainly try his best. Good luck Sydney! @Sydneyhound #dachschund pic.twitter.com/9J5qmhcVP3
— Oxfam (@oxfamgb) April 26, 2020
“Sydney the dachshund here. One of my humans has decided I should take part in the 2.6 Challenge. So today I am going to fetch a ball 26 times,” said Sydney.
“Easy you say! Well no. I am not a retriever or a spaniel. I’m a dachshund and I really don’t do fetch. I do pick up the ball and run off with it. I do pick up the ball and drop it on the way back. I do pick up the ball and hurtle back but then get distracted on the way. It’s a dachshund thing – I know what to do but it all depends if I want to…or not…”
4. Triplets celebrate their Earth Day birthday with 26 climate pledges
Image: Rem and Tessa Van Woerkom
Triplets Max, Seb and Saskia raised over £750 by making climate-friendly changes to their lifestyle.
“We decided to combine the 2.6 Challenge, Earth Day and our birthdays all into one… and together we are making 26 climate pledges in support of Oxfam’s coronavirus appeal. We all saw just how easy it is to make and stick by our climate change pledges and we now have pledges that we will stick to for our daily lives” says Max, 22, from Oxfam’s Supporter Relations team.
5. Kids in charge for 26 hours
Supporer Laura Rutherford was extremely brave with her 2.6-based challenge. She let her kids take charge for 26 hours. Needless to say, there were lots of sugary treats involved, and even a foot massage.
6. Caroline Jones styled one shirt 26 ways
Caroline showed us how to style one shirt 26 ways, using all second hand finds.
“I loved setting myself this creative challenge, getting my ‘face on’ and delving into my rails. I hope it’s inspired you to open your wardrobe and see the styling possibilities that you too can create. Very often there’s more to a piece of clothing than first meets the eye.”