A group of determined Paramedics from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) are about to take on the challenge of a lifetime when they attempt to break a Guinness World Record!
Seven of the YAA Paramedics, who will be joined by nine more colleagues from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust and friends and family, will attempt to break the ‘Longest marathon playing five-a-side football record’. The current record stands at 40 hours, however the team are determined to break this record by aiming for at least 44 hours!
As well as trying to break the record, the Paramedics will be aiming to raise as much money as possible for the Charity they fly with, but are looking to raise £7,200, the cost of a day’s flying.
Pete Vallance, aircrew of the YAA whose idea it was to attempt the record commented:
A number of the Paramedics have flown with the YAA for many years now. We see day-to-day the impact that the YAA has on the people of Yorkshire and we know how vital the role of the Charity team and the public is in helping to raise the monies needed to keep both of the helicopters in the air. We decided it would be good to help raise money for the Charity and, as keen five-a-side footballers, we thought this a great way to combine both.
Avid BBC Helicopter Heroes fans will recognise the paramedics participating in the Guinness World Record as: Pete Vallance, James Vine, Paul Kilner, Dave Appleby, Matt Syrat, Andy Armitage and John Baxter.
The Paramedics, who are seconded to the YAA from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service will be joined on their record attempt by a number of their colleagues from the ambulance service, friends and family.
The team have spent a lot of time reading through all the strict guidance notes that have been supplied by Guinness World Records as well as starting their training for the event.
Pete continued:
There are a lot of rules and requirements we have to fulfil for Guinness World Records to enable us to record and prove our attempt. This is going to prove the most difficult part – playing football is probably going to be the easiest bit.
It is going to be a long two days for us and we will need regular food and drink breaks. If any local companies would be willing to donate anything, they would be gratefully received. We are particularly in need of items such as sandwiches and snacks, sports drinks, fruit and probably some coffee and caffeine type drinks too.
The record attempt will take place from Thursday 7th June to Saturday 9th June 2012 at Goals Soccer Centre, Norfolk Park Road, Sheffield and anyone wishing to support the guys are welcome to come down to cheer them on.
If anyone would like to support the Paramedics efforts through a donation of food or drinks, please contact the team via the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity Office on 01422 237900.
You can also support the Guinness World Attempt team by sponsoring through their JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/Fiveasidefootballworldrecordattempt
