Pats on the back for a world record attempt in Blackrock

HOPES are high that 824 students from four Southside schools have broken the world record for the longest human chain of people patting each other on the back.

The current record was set on June 29, 2018, by 329 children from Leicester Grammar Junior school in the UK. 

The attempt to break this world record took place on May 30 on the front lawn of Blackrock College. It involved pupils from Willow Park Junior School, Willow Park First Year, Blackrock College and St Andrew’s College. 

Each child patted the person in front of them continually for 30 seconds. It was timed and verified by independent observers. The attempt was also photographed and recorded by video and drone. 

Mr Eddie Barron, chairman of Willow Park Parents’ Association, stated: “We believe that we have broken the world record. We will submit the evidence to the Guinness Book of Records in the coming days and we hope that within a number of weeks they will be able to verify that we have set a new world record for the longest human chain of people patting each other on the back.”

He added: “We are delighted with the number of children involved and how engaged they were with the challenge. The children were also fundraising for Dogs for the Disabled and we hope to be able to train at least one assistance dog.”