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A family of “serial” Guinness World Record breakers are attempting to smash 5 new records this Christmas to support the work of humanitarian aid agency, GOAL.
The Hickson family from Annascaul, Co. Kerry, are to undertake their latest world record-breaking attempts to promote the much-loved annual GOAL Mile, which due to COVID-19 is going virtual this year.
GOAL has announced that because of movement restrictions and to ensure public safety the GOAL Mile, now in its 39th year, is going virtual. But this gives people all over Ireland a unique opportunity to register to do their mile at a time and place of their choosing over Christmas – either on their own or in their own safe social bubble. GOAL is hoping that 10,000 people all over Ireland will register from mid-November to do a virtual GOAL Mile.
To support the virtual GOAL Mile the Hickson family – who to date have clocked up 15 world records - are setting themselves the following mile record targets in the hope of making the Guinness Book of Records again, whilst promoting a great cause at the same time. (FULL DETAILS ON THE HICKSON’S RECORD BREAKING HISTORY AND BIOS CAN BE VIEWED HERE )
Eamonn, (32), a radio presenter and producer with Radio Kerry, will try to set the fastest time to crawl one mile (male). (Current record 23 minutes 45 seconds).
Jason, (28), a farmer, will attempt to dribble a basketball one mile in less than the current record of 6 minutes and 1 second.
Sandra, (40), a psychiatric nurse in Cork, will try the fastest mile carrying a 40Ib pack (to beat the current 9 minutes 00 seconds record) and
Nathan Missin (Sandra’s partner) (34) a commercial pilot, will try the fastest mile carrying a 60lb pack (current record 8 minutes 00 seconds) and he will also try the fastest mile carrying a 100lb pack (currently 9 minutes 25 seconds)
Speaking at the launch of the virtual GOAL Mile Eamonn Hickson said: “We as a family are thrilled to be supporting the virtual GOAL Mile. We have had great fun over the years setting records and we enjoy the challenge. But being able to set new challenges to support GOAL and the incredible work it is doing supporting communities most in need in 13 countries around the world is very rewarding.”
He added: “I set out on the road to breaking records following a number of surgeries I had in recent years. Having records to break has helped me focus on getting back to a place where I felt fit, healthy and strong. And the idea of setting a potential number of Guinness World Records for GOAL this Christmas is amazing. We are up for it and we hope to reach our targets!”
GOAL’s Director of Marketing Eamon Sharkey said: “A huge thanks to the Hickson family for their support for the virtual GOAL Mile. They are a very determined group of people and we wish them luck in their efforts to smash a host of new world records – all in aid of GOAL!”
“We are living in a totally different world to the one we were in last Christmas. COVID-19 has taken a grip and changed all of our lives, but sadly it is the most vulnerable communities around the world who are impacted most, with COVID-19 impacting on their livelihoods and access to food.”
“Despite COVID-19 we are determined that this great tradition will continue and we can all do our GOAL Mile virtually. Families and small groups of people may be able to do it together once Government guidelines and social distancing is strictly observed. This year will be different - but the end result will be the same.”
Last year GOAL reached more than six million people in need with nutrition, health, livelihood and emergency response support in 13 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
To help GOAL hit the magic 10,000 miles in the spirit of helping those in need register at: https://www.goalglobal.org/goal-mile/
€15 for an adult and €10 for a child. There is also an early bird option, €10 for adults and € for a child until 24th November.
