Fundraisers to attempt world's largest human map

Sunday 19 August 2018

Headway Jersey, a local charity which supports sufferers of head injuries, is organising a Guinness World Record attempt for world's largest human map.

Supported by Ashburton, the world record attempt will be held at the Royal Jersey Showground on 23 September, as part of an attempt to raise £50,000 for the charity.

The record is currently held by 'Pastel Communications', from Myanmar, who organised 3,466 people into the shape of their country in February this year. Headway hope to break the record by creating a map of Jersey out of 5,000 people. 

Pictured: The current record was set in Myanmar

The charity hopes that the record breaking attempt will increase awareness of their work, as well as raising money. It costs £350,000 to run Headway for a year, of which only a fraction is covered by grants. 

Bryce Alford, Fundraising and Events Manager at Headway Jersey said: “We need as many people as possible to come to the event on 23 September to help break the Guinness World Record being staged to raise much-needed funding for our work for people suffering brain trauma in Jersey."

Headway supports the sufferers of brain injuries, as well as their families and carers, and currently work with over 140 members. They run a centre which is open 5 days a week and offers a variety of services, including a mini bus service. The sessions run by Headway aim to rehabilitate those that they work with, and promote a healthy lifestyle. 

This rehabilitation can help sufferers adapt to physical disability caused by their brain injury, as well as emotional or behavioural effects. This allows them to regain confidence and independence, and in some cases will enable people to return to work. Others will continue to require support for the rest of their lives. 

Gates open at 10:00, with the record attempt beginning at 14:00. Organisers ask that participants arrive no later than 12:45. Anyone who wants to take part part must register online, for a small fee of £5.45, which includes the cost of a t-shirt to be worn for the event.

Entries close 17 September, but those who enter before 22 August will be entered into a prize draw. 

There will be food stalls and other forms of entertainment at the event.