Residents of south east London are being urged to take part in the 2.6 mile running challenge in order to raise money to support the families of local doctors and nurses who have sadly lost their lives to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sunday, April 26, was meant to be the date of the London Marathon 2020, until coronavirus came along and put an end to that.

The event, a 26,2 mile run across the capital, is a culmination of months of training for some, and also a source of millions in fundraising for hundreds of charities across the country.

So nationwide, people have decided to put on their running shoes and raise some money for for causes close to their hearts using the #TwoPointSixChallenge.

In south east London, where the marathon was due to start, local doctors and nurses have decided to try and support those who have lost their lives fighting the pandemic.

 

 

Two staff members at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, Esther Akinsanya and Grace Kungwengwe, lost their lives in the last two weeks due to Covid-19, and the trust's CEO described it as "the darkest week in our history."

So members of the trust's running group, Team LGT, have decided to dedicate their 2.6 mile challenges to a fund set up to support the families of the colleagues that have died.

By the end of Sunday, 10 members had completed the challenge, meaning combined they had run the full 26.2 miles of the London Marathon.

Dozens more have joined them since, and the trust is encouraging anyone and everyone to get out their and do the challenge.

 

 

Running group lead Jo Gennari said: "We are always very proud to represent the trust, but this weekend was particularly poignant.

"Honouring the memory of colleagues and doing whatever we can to support their families made the challenge that much more important.

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"We would love everyone to get out and do their challenge whether its a run, a walk, a cycle or anything they can tie in to encourage donations."

If you do go out for a run or a walk, please remember to keep social distancing in mind and make sure to post your picture on social media.

You can donate to the fund via the JustGiving page, which so far has raised just over £7,000, and follow #TeamLGT on Twitter :@TeamLGT.