Aylesbury couple to complete marathon at home to raise money for refugees

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic effect on UK charities 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.

Richard and Becky, from Aylesbury now plan to do their bit to raise funds for 'Refugee Compassion' by running a marathon distance around their home in Berryfields.

Becky said: "The plan is to do laps of our house and 30 sq. metre garden on Sunday, plus using our allowed exercise hour to do a longer outdoor lap around Berryfields under the current Government guidelines.

"We weren't initially down to do the London Marathon, but we saw that loads of charities were set to lose out because of the postponed marathon date so decided to get involved in the 2.6 challenge to raise some funds for this great cause.

Rich and Becky are co-founders and trustees of Refugee Compassion and have been running the charity since 2016.

Becky is also a production technician at Oxford University currently getting to work on the COVID-19 vaccine.

They are also foster carers.

Becky added: "We also have 3 other members of the team taking part in the 2.6 Challenge doing their own fundraisers to help raise money, including a frontline NHS doctor who has signed up today to do a marathon over a week as well as working nights on the COVID ward."

Like so many charities across the UK, Refugee Compassion has been hugely impacted by the cancellation of fundraising events due to COVID-19.

Refugee Compassion is taking part in the nationwide “2.6 Challenge”, which launches on Sunday 26 April 2020 – what should have been the date of the 40th London Marathon, the world’s biggest one-day annual fundraising event, which raised £66.4 million for charities in 2019.

"The 2.6 Challenge is a simple way for people of all ages and abilities to help save the UK’s charities on Sunday 26 April," say the event's organisers.

"Your challenge could be as simple as pledging to run 2.6 miles as your daily exercise to doing 26 minutes of juggling non-stop."

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 and remember to stay local.

Becky Snaith, Chair of Refugee Compassion said: “The 2.6 Challenge is a great opportunity for Refugee Compassion, since the Covid lockdown we have had most of our fundraising events cancelled this year. We hope this online, at home way of fundraising can make up the vital funds we would have raised."

“My husband and I will be doing a marathon around our house which is 26.2 miles. We have other volunteers doing a 2.6 mile stair climb and a duathlon.”

You can donate to this fundraiser on our Just Giving page, at https://bit.ly/marathonathome