EVIE’S Gift, the Melksham-based charity formed when Melksham girl Evie Clover died from cancer, threw itself into the 2.6 Challenge, the national initiative held to replace the London Marathon.
When the London Marathon was cancelled, the organisers decided that they wanted to run a whole load of virtual events in its place so that small and medium-sized charities could have a chance to raise some of the £65 million that had been lost. The event was called the 2.6 Challenge, and happened on Sunday 26 April – and Evie’s Gift came up with some marvellous ideas.
“People had to come up with a way of fundraising which had something to do with 2.6 or 26 and our supporters were marvellous,” said Bryan Clover, Evie’s Dad and Chairman of Evie’s Gift.
“Evie’s best friend Izzy decided to sing 26 songs from musicals and post them on Facebook; she has raised an amazing £1,500 so far and is still going. Rhys, one of Evie’s friends hiked 26 miles in 5 days, in small, socially-isolated chunks. Patsy Clover, Evie’s mum, painted 26 rocks for a donation, Garry her godfather decided to do 26 laps of his garden, backwards and blindfolded!
“There were virtual cake bakes, 2.6 mile walks and so much more. Evie’s cats, Dotty and Tizzle, did a virtual tour of the world, visiting 26 iconic sites eating cat treats very kindly donated by Vet’s Kitchen in Swindon; the cats raised over £150.
“The response has been phenomenal. Our income dropped like a stone when lockdown struck and we had been forced to reduce the amount we were able to award to the parents of children that were still in hospital. Cancer or premature birth doesn’t care about Covid-19, so we still have to be there when people need us. This 2.6 Challenge came at just the right time for us as all of our spring and summer fundraising events had been cancelled.” he added ” We are still running a couple of the events, but at the money, we have raised over £7,100 excluding gift aid and that has been a desperately needed lifeline.
“We want to say a massive ‘Thank You!’ to everyone that did something or sponsored us.
“Some of the events are still running so if you would like to support us you can take a look at the Evie’s Gift Facebook page and order a painted rock for a small £2 donation, sponsor Andy in his efforts to lose 26kg (!) or donate to watch Izzy’s amazing singing.”
