‘Home heroes’ have raised more than £1,100 for charities tacking the coronavirus pandemic in Barnet.

The money was raised by people taking part in the 2.6 Challenge – part of a national campaign to support charities who have been hit by a drop in funding levels during the lockdown.

Inclusion Barnet’s version of the scheme will donate money to the Barnet Community Response Fund, which was set up provide frontline support to those in need during the coronavirus crisis.

The challenge, which took place on April 26 – the day the London Marathon would have been held, asked people to become ‘home heroes’ by taking part in any fundraising activity based on 26, or 2.6.

Mayor of Barnet Cllr Caroline Stock, Burnt Oak councillor Cllr Sara Conway and West Finchley councillor Cllr Ross Houston raised more than £500 by walking 2.6km.

Eve Byers, a peer worker at Inclusion Barnet, completed a 2.6-mile run and raised more than £300.

She said: “As a peer worker, I see first-hand both the challenges faced by vulnerable people in our community and how hard small charities are working to support them.

“Many of those charities will themselves struggle to keep going in the coming months, having lost major fundraising opportunities due to the virus.

“Running is helping me to maintain my own mental health during lockdown, so I wanted to use my daily exercise allowance to participate in the 2.6 Challenge and help fund their vital work.”

People can still donate to Inclusion Barnet’s fundraising effort by visiting: https://twopointsixchallenge.justgiving.com/get-involved?charityId=2924658