Emirates Stadium to host 'chinese whispers' world record attempt for Save the Children
Save the Children and TreeHouse, the national charity for autism education, are joining forces on 11 July in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest game of Chinese Whispers at Arsenal Football Club's Emirates Stadium.
Tuesday 1 July 2008
The record attempt will involve more than 1,200 children and money raised through the event will be used to further TreeHouse's plans to open a National Centre for Autism Education in North London and will raise money for Save the Children’s biggest-ever global campaign to stop the 10 million children who die each year before their fifth birthday.
Organised by BI, the UK's leading communication and motivation company in partnership with Arsenal Football Club, TreeHouse and Save the Children, the record attempt will see children aged 7-11 who participate in Arsenal in the Community initiatives join forces with children from the Milton Keynes area and children’s groups associated with both charities.
With monitors from Guinness World Records? in attendance and cheered on by celebrity supporters and two Arsenal legends, the children will form a huge circular formation on the Emirates Lower East Stand, before starting the Chinese Whisper with a secret message.
The message will then be passed from child to child around the circle until it arrives at the end of the chain and as with most games of Chinese Whispers, the final message is expected to be very different from the original.
The event partners will be working with all the children involved in the run up to the record attempt helping them practice the game, highlighting value of face-to-face communications and raising awareness of the work of TreeHouse and Save the Children.
A dedicated website www.chinesewhisperworldrecord.com has been launched by the partners to assist with fund raising and track the progress of the Guinness World Record? attempt. An online auction site has also been set up through Buy once, give twice allowing people to bid for signed sporting memorabilia and other 'money-can't buy' lots.
Vicky Lincoln, Fundraising Manager at TreeHouse comments: "This is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness and educate the public about autism education. Although children with autism do find communication more difficult, education can make a dramatic difference. The fact that pupils from TreeHouse’s school are taking part in the Chinese Whisper record-breaking attempt is a great example of education enabling children with autism to participate alongside their peers."
Tanya Steele, Director of Supporter Relations and Fundraising at Save the Children said:
"Save the Children is asking people to be a part of our biggest-ever campaign to help save a child's life. Through the Chinese Whisper Record Breaking attempt children from the UK will help save children's lives around the world and show that it’s simple to save a life; we just need to spread the word and take action."
Ken Friar, Director of Arsenal Football Club comments: "This promises to be an exciting event here at Emirates Stadium; the Club is honoured to participate in a record breaking attempt in the name of two worthy causes. This event is a great way to end a fantastic season-long partnership with TreeHouse and we wish everybody involved in the day the best of luck."
Richard Bandell, Managing Director, BI comments: "Attempting to break a Guinness World Record for these two amazing charities at Arsenal Football Club’s Emirates Stadium is a hugely exciting challenge, but this event is all about enabling kids to help other kids and showing them that giving can be even more rewarding than receiving."
