Thursday, 10 June 2008
The
Shepway School Sport Partnership celebrated National Schools Sport Week
in superb style by organising 1,000 children of Shepway to bounce into
the Guinness Book of Records on Space Hoppers.
Year 5, 6 and 7 pupils attempted to break the current world record for
the highest number of people bouncing simultaneously on space hoppers.
The previous world record was 735 set in Wales but Shepway had 1008
registered participants who bounced continuously for one minute.
The event which took place last Friday was organised by Assistant PDM
Penny Matkin and involved two secondary schools, most of the SSP
primaries and was led by Young Leaders, the entire PE department and
whole school staff. Penny said: “The event was an excellent celebration
of the work we do as a partnership. It celebrated sport and illustrated
that exercise can be fun and enjoyable to everyone”.
The ‘Big Bounce’ not only attempted to break a world record but it also
acted as a fundraising activity for Penny who is next year taking part
in one of the most enduring physical challenges, the Marathon des
Sables. This is a six-day 243km (151 miles) endurance race across the
Sahara Desert in temperatures as high as 120F. She is hoping to raise
£10,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR). The ‘Big Bounce’ alone
raised over £6,500 for YCR and the school PE departments.
Jennie Jordan, Youth Sport Trust Development Manager said: “This was a
fantastic event supported by dedicated young people both as
participants and young leaders. It has raised the profile of PE and
School Sport whilst celebrating the achievement of working together as
a team during National School Sports Week. It has been an enjoyable
experience for all involved”.
Linsey Coulthard, Communications Officer for YCR said: “I would like to
thank Penny and the children of Shepway, in advance for their
fundraising efforts and wish them the very best in achieving their aim
of breaking the current world record”.
Click here if you would like to sponsor Penny.
Click here if you would like to find out more about National School Sport Week .