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'Claus' for celebration
in Derry
10.12.07
DERRY became a sea of
red and white yesterday as people from the city,
neighbouring Inishowen and elsewhere broke the world
record for the most Santas gathered in one place.
The aim was 10,001 Santas but the result was a
staggering 12,942 Santas - in all shapes and sizes. |
Despite the heaving
crowd and multitude of beards, there was no
'Claus...trophobia as they completed a short
sponsored walk of the City Walls as part of the
hour-long challenge.
Thousands of pounds have now been raised for four
local charities - Inishowen Children's Autism
Related Education (iCARE), the Foyle Hospice,
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Children in Crossfire and
Macmillan Cancer Relief.
It was the first time the Guinness World Record
attempt had been made in the North and resulted in
nearly double the number gathered for the recent
attempt in Las Vegas.
Organiser Martin Mullan told the huge Santa
gathering he had started the challenge a year ago
and was amazed and immensely proud at the result.
"We've let the people of Las Vegas and Liverpool
know that you can't beat Derry," he laughed.
Children in Crossfire founding director Richard
Moore said he was moved by event. "When I send a
picture of this out to Africa, it will show the
children there what the people here are prepared to
do to help."
There was a fun-filled festival atmosphere in the
city from the event kick-off, shortly after 11am.
Victorious Derry boxer John Duddy arrived during the
festivities, following his win over Howard Eastman
in Belfast's King's Hall the night before.
Also spotted in the crowd were a number of local
footballers and politicians masquerading as, well,
Santa. They included Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson
and SDLP leader Mark Durkan with his young daughter.
Derry City heroes Peter 'Pizza' Hutton and Liam
Coyle also donned their trademark red and white,
albeit in an altogether different strip.
For more pictures of the fantastic event,
Click
Here . |
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