CHARITY fundraisers have completed a 26-hour challenge to raise money and create opportunities where people “can be present with one another and recognise that God can be in that space”, the national director of the Scripture Union, Dave Newton, has said.

The Holy Ground Marathon, an initiative from the Scripture Union, began at midday on Thursday of last week, and consisted of 26 sports to be undertaken in 26 hours at 26 locations. Building on the 26 theme, the charity is also aiming to raise £26,000.

Mr Newton told the Church Times before the challenge: “I love it when you read the Exodus passage, where Moses comes to the burning bush, and there’s a presence, there’s an encounter between the two. What we’re looking for is, how can we create encounter? How can we create spaces where adults and young people can be present with one another and recognise God can be in that space?”

Participants, including staff, volunteers, and young people who partook in previous Holy Ground projects, were split into two teams — red or blue.

The challenge finished on Friday evening 14-12 to the Reds. Players were “exhausted, aching and carrying a few cuts and bruises”, Mr Newton said on Monday.

The games included activities that opened conversations about faith, Mr Newton said, and included human noughts and crosses, penalty shootouts, street curling, and cricket.

“The one I’m certainly not looking forward to is a relay around the athletics track, which, at my age, I’m not particularly excited about,” he said.

The challenge began at Middlesbrough football ground, and finished under the Tyne Bridge. The teams also visited Sunderland, Durham Cathedral, and the Angel of the North.

The event ties in with Scripture Union’s work with churches over the past year in sports cages and local parks. “The aim is to turn them into places where young people can encounter Jesus through play, through games, activities, and then introduce them to faith,” Mr Newton said.

“We have on our website what we call a digital kit-bag. It enables a church to think about how they might be able to . . . launch a project like this safely in their communities.

“I think it’s really important, just from a diversionary way, getting people off screens, getting people active, for well-being and health, as well as everything else.”

content.scriptureunion.org.uk/holy-ground-marathon-0