Widnes Vikings Media Release: Halton – Official Guinness World Record Holders! Widnes Vikings, NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group and Halton Borough Council have successfully broken the Guinness World Record for the ‘most people exercising to a fitness video’.
Simon Banks, Chief Officer (NHS Halton CCG) said: “This is a fantastic achievement for local people. The World Record Attempt brought the entire Borough together to make history and mark the beginning of a new era for Halton.
“Our aim is to continue working together as One Halton to ensure local people not only lead happier, healthier lives, but are receiving the right support, at the right time and in the right place, and we continue to make service improvements across the system.”
On February 5th the three organisations together with businesses, school children and Halton residents set a new record of 3,277 participants ‘exercising to a fitness video’, at the Select Security Stadium.
Participants smashed the previous record of 2,958, which had stood since 2013 and was set by the Organising Committee of the National Community Care Campaign in Beijing.
James Rule, Widnes Vikings’ Chief Executive commented on the achievement: “The World Record Attempt took place on the same day that we opened our Super League season. It provided the perfect opportunity for us to engage the local community, to promote health messages and kick-start our 2015 campaign with some fantastic local support. Since the attempt we have continued to work in partnership with the NHS CCG and Halton Borough Council to improve the health and well-being of local residents. I am delighted that so many local people joined in with our World Record Attempt and it is fantastic that so many Widnes Vikings supporters can now say that they are World Record Holders.”
The World Record Attempt took place in the form of a 10-minute light fitness programme, which was choreographed and led by the Halton Health ‘Wake Up Shake Up’ team.
Blake Solly, Super League General Manager joined in the exercise with 3,276 others on the i-Pitch on February 5th. He commented: “Widnes Vikings’ World Record attempt was ground breaking in its scope and execution. Super League has a proud tradition of community engagement and ensuring awareness of the benefits of healthy living, however this project has set a new standard for the sport.It delivered a powerful message about healthy living, in an innovative but high profile manner, and provided participants the opportunity to further their attachment with sport by attending the Season Opener that evening.
It was a tremendous success and will be used by Super League as an example of best practice.”
Dave Sweeney, Director of Transformation (NHS Halton CCG and Halton BC) commented: "I am delighted at the great success of the event. As well as breaking the World Record, this event was also an opportunity for local people to find out more about how to make a positive difference to their health and wellbeing.
"This just goes to show what can be achieved when partners come together for a joint goal and I am extremely proud of everyone who took part.”
The event was part of a wider programme of work being delivered in partnership by the three organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Halton.
Following the World Record Attempt, the organisations are working in partnership to encourage everyone in the Borough aged between 40 and 74 to go and get a free NHS Health Check.
The NHS Health Check is an MOT for eligible adults, without a pre-existing condition, which checks circulatory and vascular health.
Health checks are currently available to book through Widnes Vikings. Email [email protected] or call 0151 495 2250. Health checks are available on Wednesdays and Saturdays in May.
Widnes Vikings, Halton Borough Council, and Halton NHS CCG are working together on a celebration event for the World Record Holders. The three organisations will be inviting Halton World Record Holders to celebrate their achievement at the Widnes Vikings v Hull FC game on June 4th 2015. All World Record Holders that attend the game will be given a certificate to show that they are officially a Guinness World Record Holder.
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-people-exercising-to-a-fitness-video