Kids skip school for world record attempt

Jul 2 2009

On Tuesday, pupils at Cannock’s St Mary’s Primary School were visited by former amateur boxer Scott Murray in an attempt to break the World Record for the number of people skipping simultaneously.

Murray, a former Midlands amateur champion, gave a demo to approximately 200 children who all skipped continuously for three minutes at noon for the world record attempt.

The event at the school was also supported by former professional boxer and promoter Ron Gray, who acted as witness along with a local police officer.

The record attempt saw approximately 37,000 pupils from 264 schools in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent skip simultaneously in order to break the current record of 7, 632 people, set in March 2006.

The event was not only aimed at breaking the world record but also at ensuring that pupils in the area are accessing their recommended five hours of PE per week. The event was organised by the School Sports Partnerships in Staffordshire and Stoke as part of the Lloyds TSB National School Sports Week. The scheme aims to motivate pupils and encourages them to fulfil their potential in sport using the inspiration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Country Councillor Veronica Downes, Cabinet Member for Schools, said: “Skipping is a fun, healthy activity and I’m delighted that we have so many of our pupils taking part in this world record attempt event. I would like to wish everyone involved the very best of luck.”

Other schools across the area were visited by other Olympic and international athletes including Olympic marathon runner Matt O’Dowd, Olympic swimmer Mel Marshall, and badminton Olympic silver medallist Gail Emms. Each pupil who took part was rewarded with their own skipping rope and certificate to confirm that they participated. As part of this celebration of sport, the Staffordshire Catering Service offered pupils a ‘Skipping World Record Attempt’ menu.

Money raised from the event was donated to Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Association, a national charity committed to supporting patients and carers who suffer from these conditions.