Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS) has been chosen as the venue for an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record™ for the longest continuous hockey match.
The event, organised by South Gloucestershire Hockey Club (SGHC) and held over the weekend of 28th/29th May, will raise money for the Cots for Tots Appeal at St Michael’s Hospital, Bristol.
The current record, set by Omagh Hockey Club in Ireland, in August 2010, is 30 hours and 15 minutes. The South Gloucestershire club members are planning to beat that by playing for 31 hours.
SGHC chose to support ‘Cots for Tots’ after two club members had direct experience of the specialist care provided by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St Michael’s, which looks after premature and critically-ill new-born babies.
In October 2010, Club Secretary Craig Lewis became the father of Evan, who was born at 33 weeks and four days, weighing 4lb 15oz, and who needed to have a short stay at NICU.
In May 2008, event organiser Darren Bane became father to Matthew, born at 26 weeks, weighing just 1lb 4oz (575g). Matthew spent the first six months of his life at the NICU.
Darren said:
“I’m quite sure that without the special equipment and expertise of the NICU staff Matthew would probably not be with us today.”
“We will never be able to re-pay NICU fully for the gift they have given us, but at least we can try to give something back.”
The ‘Cots for Tots’ Appeal aims to raise £1m to provide a new intensive care suite with four new life-saving cots at NICU and a family accommodation suite close by.
Lauren Vincent, community fundraising manager for the Appeal, said:
“The world record attempt is a really unique challenge made even more special by Evan and Matthew’s stories. We are looking forward to joining the community in cheering on the players in May.”
An article on the SGCH website says the Community School has spoken with South Gloucestershire Council to address any issues concerning the use of floodlights and written to neighbouring residents to make them aware of the event.
Anyone who would like to sponsor the record bid can donate through the dedicated webpage at www.justgiving.com/sghc.
Related link: Sport and Lesiure in Bradley Stoke
