By Carole Dennett
Sunday should have seen the 40th London Marathon, where thousands of runners would challenge themselves to complete the 26.2 mile iconic course.
With the postponement of this year’s Marathon due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the team at London Marathon have created the nation-wide virtual fundraising event #TwoPointSixChallenge to help UK charities, where individuals can choose an activity based around the numbers 2.6 or 26, that can be completed safely within the Government guidelines for social distancing.
The Isle of Wight Melodic Choir have taken on the challenge, in aid of The Wight Brainy Bunch, after raising £1,900 for the charity in November with two Mamma Mia Concerts, and will host a 26 song Singathon via Zoom this Sunday with videos being posted on their Facebook page.
The choir, which has approximately 45 active members come together on a daily basis to sing their ‘Song for the Day’ from the comfort of their own home, in place of their usual weekly choir practice and plan to also record a (social distancing) version of ‘Rise up’ by Andra Day for the charity.
Kay De’Lacy, Melodic Choir Leader said: “The daily songs are chosen by myself or suggested by the choir members, and all have a similar theme of being positive and uplifting. Some of our members live alone or are poorly, so the daily song brings everyone together. Music really is the best medicine.”
For anyone who would like to join in, the song choice is announced daily at 11:30am on the Melodic Facebook page and performed at 4pm. For more information please contact: kay_delacy@hotmail.co.uk
The Wight Brainy Bunch was founded by Ryde Firefighter Mark Grimes and his wife Kathryn, following Marks own diagnosis of a brain tumour in 2015. The charity now provides emotional support and financial assistance to other Isle of Wight families facing this devastating diagnosis, by funding a variety of services, including travel costs to Southampton for treatment, purchasing of specialist equipment, counselling services, physiotherapy to aid mobility, cognitive rehabilitation therapy and memory making breaks for those with a terminal diagnosis.
Kathryn Grimes, Founder of The Wight Brainy Bunch, said: “The current situation is really challenging for charities, as it is for businesses and families alike. As a small charity we are having to explore alternative approaches to fundraising and have been overwhelmed by people’s ingenuity, their ability to adapt and willingness to help, even though they may be going through tough times themselves. Unfortunately, although fundraising has virtually ceased for the time being, the devastating diagnosis of a brain tumour has not, and there are many families on the Island still requiring our help through these difficult times”.
To show your support and encourage them in their challenge, please visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.
Isle of Wight Observer