Sunday should have been The London Marathon.

As the world’s largest one-day fundraising event, its postponement will have felt heavy for a lot of UK charities who rely on the vital funds raised for them by the dedicated runners who will have trained so hard for yesterday.

But what is uplifting is the innovative initiatives that are popping up all the time; bringing communities together, helping the vulnerable and raising money in all different ways.

You might have seen the #TwoPointSixChallenge on social media in recent days – An initiative thought up to help replace some of the funds lost from The London Marathon by encouraging people to take up all sorts of challenges in the safety of their own homes.

Last week we also shared a drive for urgently needed food donations for Winchester Basics Bank – A collection being made by Santa’s sleigh, newly adorned with rainbows!

People are continuing to come together and are undeterred from continuing vital fundraising in new ways. The motivation behind jumblebee is the brilliant, creative British Public who never fail to demonstrate new ways of fundraising on the jumblebee auction site. Coupled with amazing generosity we are finding amounts raised for good causes to be bigger and better than ever.

Santa (Winchester Round Table’s Santa Sleigh) is currently auctioning off his rainbows – Crafted by a local carpenter and artist, these rainbows will be raising money for Winchester Basics Bank. https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/givesharefeed#none

The Art Technician Emergency Fund have some incredible lots up for grabs, donated by various artists. All funds raised are going to support Art Technicians, who are the backbone of their industry and currently unable to work. https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/arttechniciansemergencyfund

As part of their 5* International Virtual Horse Trials, Virtual Eventing are raising money for the NHS Charities Together campaign by auctioning off some brilliant lots – From virtual riding lessons with Olympians, to designer bags – There’s something for everyone. https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/virtualeventing-NHS

The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust have a glorious variety of lots ready to bid on. All funds raised go to their very worthy cause – Due to the lockdown their services are in huge demand, from delivering PPE to the frontline, to creating safe spaces for domestic violence victims. https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/2020BobbyVanTrustauction

Crafts Fight Covid have some beautiful jewellery and crafts on their online auction – All raising money for the NHS Charities Together fund. https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/craftsfightcovid

Equestrian Relief, whose auction has now ended, had some once-in-a-lifetime lots that saw huge bids – Including Zara Tindall’s painting of her horse Toytown! Their campaign raised over £150K for the NHS Crisis Fund.

As you can see, it’s quite the creative, eclectic mix of fundraising initiatives, but all with one common goal – To raise money for UK charities that currently really need our help.

We’re all in this together.