471 pupils at Meole Brace School in Shrewsbury in the UK, have set a new Guinness World Record for the most people performing jump squats at the same time, in the same place.
To celebrate World Toilet Day pupils from Years 7 and 8, as well as some of their teachers, teamed up with water and sanitation charity Village Water for The Big Squat.
British charity Village Water thought The Big Squat would be a fun and exciting way to raise awareness of how 1 in 3 people around the world do not have a safe, private place to go to the toilet.
Meole Brace School have been learning about global sanitation issues, so were keen to get involved and set a new World Record to raise awareness for World Toilet Day.
The Big Squat was a true local event as the local sporting community came out in force with football, netball and rugby coaches as well as dance, yoga and swimming teachers volunteering as stewards.
Two weeks after the attempt, Village Water received official confirmation from the Guinness World Records that they along with Meole Brace School were the new world title holders for the ‘Most People Performing Jump Squats in the Same Place at the Same Time’.
Clare Wearden, Village Water’s Director said: “It feels wonderful to have set a new World Record here at Meole Brace School. We would like to say a massive thank you to all the Year 7 and 8 pupils and their teachers at Meole Brace School, as well as the school’s PE department and Simon Iddon for their fantastic efforts. The pupils were determined, motivated and really enthusiastic on the day, and they did a great job performing just over a minute’s worth of jump squats. Through our record attempt we wanted to raise awareness of how 2.3 billion people around the world still do not have safe, private toilets and the problems this causes for health, education and work. Toilets are vital for living a healthy life and Village Water believes everyone should have a safe place to go to the toilet. Our work helps communities and schools in Zambia to build their own simple sanitation facilities. As a result families and children are healthier so they have more time for education and farming. I would like to thank all our stewards and independent witnesses for giving up their time and helping us to run the attempt”.