Christmas jumper record attempt

The city is aiming to beat the current “Christmas Jumper” record and all for a good cause.

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Alderman Hilary McClintock, is calling on as many residents as possible to don their festive woollies this weekend.

More than 3,473 people need to fill the city centre dressed in their Christmas jumpers on Sunday December 18 to smash the world record currently held by Kansas in the United States.

A number of charities is set to benefit from the proceeds raised by the event.

The Foyle Hospice, Concern, Muscular Dystrophy UK#TeamEvan and Children in Crossfire have joined forces with the Mayor’s two chosen charities, Tearfund and Action Cancer NI, to raise some much needed funds.

The bid follows the success of the Christmas Santa record which was set by the city in 2007, when almost 13,000 people took to the historic walls to clinch the record of the biggest number of Santas and Santa’s helpers in the world.

The Mayor said: “As we approach Christmas, I’m sure we’re all conscious that while most of us look forward to a family celebration surrounded by loved ones, it can be a challenging and lonely time for some who have to do without. I really want to encourage people to take this opportunity to share in what promises to be a fun event and spread some festive cheer where it’s needed most.

“And if you want to take part, you don’t have to invest in buying a new Christmas jumper. Why not get creative and come up with something that’s really unique and decorate your own jumper. Get out the tinsel, or any leftover decorations and come up with something truly unique. I look forward to seeing the results on Sunday.”

One of the many local organisations to support the record attempt is the Inner City Trust. The Trust has given the charities the use of its building at 35 Shipquay St for a ‘pop up’ Christmas registration shop which will be open every day, from 10.00 am until 5.00 pm, and until 1.00 pm on Sunday. For anyone looking for inspiration to create their own jumper, they can call into 35 Shipquay St and can select some stick-on Christmas motifs – free of charge.

Participants are being asked to assemble in Waterloo Place from noon on Sunday where the mixed voice choir, Cantamus, will lead the carol singing to create some festive cheer, before making their way through Magazine Gate led by the Glasgowbury Samba Band, where the official count will take place at 1.00 pm.

To register for the event in advance, you can do so online at www.foylehospice.com or call into the Foyle Hospice shop in Waterloo Place or the Concern shop in Ferryquay Street. The registration fee is £10 for adults, £5 concessionary and £25 for family registration.