Staffordshire pupils skip into the World Record Books

 

Pupils across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are celebrating after having officially skipped their way into the Guinness World Record Books.

 

Over 27,000 pupils from 275 schools across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent joined pupils in Lincolnshire to skip simultaneously for 3 minutes on 30 June in an attempt to break the previous world record for the most people skipping simultaneously.

 

The event was organised by the School Sports Partnerships in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent as part of the Lloyds TSB National School Sports Week celebrations and is part of an ongoing programme to promote physical activity and the work schools are doing to ensure that all pupils are accessing 5 hours per week of PE and School Sport.

 

Skipping alongside pupils were a number of Olympic and International Athletes from a wide range of sports including Badminton medallist and Olympic Ambassador Gail Emms MBE, 400m runner Daniel Caines and Archery medallist Alison Williamson.

 

Badminton medallist and Olympic Ambassador Gail Emms MBE

 

It has now been officially confirmed by Guinness World Records that 43,772 participants across 414 schools (including those in Staffordshire) hold the World Record for the most number of people skipping simultaneously.

 

County Councillor Veronica Downes, Cabinet Member for Schools said: “Skipping is a fun, healthy activity and I’m delighted that so many of our pupils took part.  To break the World Record is a wonderful achievement and everyone who took part should be very proud.  This reflects how all schools are helping children to understand the importance of being healthy through regular physical activity”. 

 

Andy Mawdsley, Partnership Development Manager, East Staffordshire added: “It was a fabulous event, which the children taking part thoroughly enjoyed. I am sure the experience will inspire many of the young people to continue skipping, learning new skills and being active”.

 

The event raised £10,000 for the Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Association, a Staffordshire based national charity and self help organisation, committed to supporting patients and carers who have these conditions.

  

Steph Newport
Communications and Marketing Officer 
Staffordshire County Council
T: 01785 278576 
E: steph.newport@staffordshire.gov.uk