A TEAM from Wirral charity Autism Together has completed a 25-hour bounceathon in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for trampolining.
The challenge started at midday on Sunday - World Autism Awareness Day - ending at 1pm yesterday.
The group of eight bounced a total height of 49km - five-and-a-half times the height of Mount Everest. They bounced 69,000 times, an average of 46 per minute.
The current record stands at 24 hours and Guinness World Record staff will scrutinise the record attempt, confirming that all rules have been strictly adhered to, before making the formal announcement that the record has been achieved.
The bounceathon team - Sarah Madge, Ben Howard, Phil O'Sullivan, Sarah Head, Emma Crabb, Sophie Hatta, Philippa Lamb, Toni Denham - celebrates at end of their 25-hour Guinness World Record attempt
The bounceathon's aim was to raise awareness of autism and boost funds for its appeal to build additional rooms at its respite centre in Wirral.
Its organiser Emma Crabb said: "Our hardest shift was 4am until 8am.
"Your body was ready to wake up but it didn't want to as we only got ten minutes sleep through the night.
"When the sun rose and everyone come back into the gym to support us, that raised our morale.
"I'm made up at what we've achieved - and especially pleased for members of the team.
"We've all stood by each other.
"We even had a party in the middle of the night".
Team member Sarah Madge added: "I'm feeling tired and sore but we've had a fun time.
"We've had around 40 minutes of sleep in 27 hours.
"I've got sore knees and achy feet but otherwise I'm ok.
"I work as a coach with Autism Together and the clients were my motivation for doing this.
"It's just so good to work with them".
Autism Together supports more than 450 people on the autism spectrum.
In 2014 a grant of over £180,000 from Sport England's Inclusive Fund enabled the charity to set up a trampolining scheme for people on the autism spectrum, based at The Drill.
The scheme has since enabled 70 adults each week the chance to have fun and keep fit by bouncing.
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