A United Reformed Church Related Community Worker has helped a BBC radio station smash a world record.
In November, BBC Radio Derby, launched its Make a Blanket Appeal to distribute warm blankets to those most in need during the winter months.
Aiming to collect 100 blankets, the station reigned in the help of Vicky Longbone, CRCW for Ashbourne Road and Mackworth United Reformed churches’ (URCs) Derby Alive to Community (A2C) project, to distribute donated blankets to people in need through Derby A2C and its foodbank.
As a way of saying thank you to those who donated blankets and those who distributed them, the station invited people to gather in an attempt to beat the Guinness World Record for the most number of people crocheting together in one room which, at the time, stood at 604. A record previously held by The Singleton Crafters based in New South Wales, Australia, who achieved their feat on 30 April 2017.
However, on 24 February that Guinness World Record was smashed when BBC Radio Derby managed to rally 960 people at Derby Arena to become the most amount of people simultaneously crocheting.
The record-breaking day began at 3pm and Vicky stewarded the 701-750 group on behalf of BBC Radio Derby.
People even travelled from as far afield as the US to take part.
“We smashed it,” said Vicky. “The atmosphere was incredible. I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to be a voice for the voiceless throughout this campaign, but we must remember this was about helping those in need. We must continue to make a difference!”
Jack Brockbank, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, oversaw the new world record, along with stewards to make sure everyone crocheted at the same time.
“The response from our listeners to the Make a Blanket appeal was phenomenal and took us all by surprise,” said BBC Radio Derby’s Executive Producer, Rachael Gilchrist speaking to BBC News.
“Hundreds and hundreds of people have been so generous with their time and skills to make these blankets – and those receiving them have been bowled over.”
The blanket appeal ran until the end of February. It is believed more than 2,000 blankets were donated in total.
