Welly-wearing runners hope to smash Guiness World Record for sick Cumbrian children (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Welly-wearing runners hope to smash Guiness World Record for sick Cumbrian children

11:30am Tuesday 16th August 2011 in News By Rachel Ryan

WELLY-WEARING runners in Cumbria are hoping to set a new world record for the largest number of people taking part in a race to raise money for sick children in the county.

Currently, the Guinness World Record stands at 1,400 participants, but it is hoped that number will be beaten at Carlisle Racecourse during an afternoon flat race meeting on Thursday August 25.

Olivia Story, seven, from Carlisle, lost both legs and an arm to meningitis but an appeal to provide prosthetic limbs for her now stands at more than £65,000 thanks to hundreds of fund-raising events held across Cumbria since the appeal was launched in May.

Richard Clements, general manager at Carlisle Racecourse, said: "We are honoured to stage what we hope will be a world record race to help raise more money for Olivia and for other children in Cumbria. It is a rare opportunity for anyone be a part of a Guinness World Record.”

Anyone wearing wellies will be allowed into the race meeting free.