West Sussex woman to listen to Who Let The Dogs Out? non-stop for 26.2 hours as part of the 2.6 challenge event aiming to save UK’s charities
An RSPCA employee is set to listen to noughties hit single Who Let the Dogs Out? non-stop for more than 24 hours as part of the 2.6 challenge and raise much-needed funds for the animal welfare charity.
The week-long challenge kicks off on Sunday (26 April), when the London Marathon would have held its 40th annual event and asks participants to do a challenge around the number 2.6 or 26.
Every year the London Marathon raises over £25,000 for the RSPCA and is a vital source of income for many charities. To help raise money in these challenging times the RSPCA is asking kind supporters to take on a 2.6 challenge, maybe something animal themed, to help the thousands of animals in its care and being rescued every day.
Press officer Amy Ockelford, 31, who works at the charity’s head office in Southwater, West Sussex, and lives in Horsham, has set herself her very own marathon of sorts; to listen to Baha Men’s Who Let The Dogs Out? non-stop for 26.2 hours.
She said: “I’ll be listening to the song, on repeat, for 26.2 hours – which means it’ll play 435 times!
“I’m a dog lover and, working for the RSPCA, I see on a daily basis the incredible work our staff and volunteers do to help thousands of dogs, and other animals, every year.
“I really wanted to use the lockdown to do some good and felt it would be appropriate to take on a challenge that was crazy, dog-themed and home-based.
“I actually quite like this song – but I suspect it may begin to wear thin a few hours into the challenge!”
To support Amy’s fundraising efforts please visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/amy-s-2-6-challenge1321.
2.6 challenge
On Sunday, 2.6 million people across the UK are taking on the 2.6 challenge to raise money for charities nationwide, and you could join them.
We’re asking you to take part in an activity of your choice based around the numbers 2.6 or 26 and fundraise or donate to support the RSPCA (England and Wales). Whether you’re tackling 26 different animal themed yoga poses, running or walking 2.6 km in an animal onesie or playing catch the ball 26 times with your dog, we want your help to save the UK’s charities.
Many fundraising events in the UK have been postponed or cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst we are all hopeful many of these events will go ahead at a later date, we, along with many charities across the UK, have felt the impact.
As the Coronavirus crisis intensifies the RSPCA must continue to rescue and care for animals facing shocking cruelty and neglect. But our dedicated teams are being stretched to their limit, and the number of animals in our care is set to rise.
The RSPCA is continuing to care for more than 4,000 animals during the Coronavirus pandemic. We have taken in more than 600 animals since the lockdown came into effect on March 23 and expect to take in many more over the coming weeks.
The RSPCA is facing a huge financial strain as it is already seeing the damaging effect of this crisis on its fundraising income, while the costs of saving, treating and caring for animals continue.
By taking on the 2.6 challenge, your support, big or small, could save an animal from suffering during this growing crisis. To find out more, please visit the RSPCA website for ideas and tips on how to help: www.rspca.org.uk/26challenge.
