Crawley Squash Players set to take on World Record

A team of Crawley squash players are getting their rackets at the ready to take on a new world record and raise funds for charity.

Squash player Neil Hide, from the Crawley Squash Club will be playing team members Neil Mallett, Dave Berger, Oliver Bitmead, Henry Bitmead, Paul Spencer, Paul Barber, Steve Palmer, and Jordan Mansfield on a rotational basis for a whopping 26 hours to help raise funds for Great Ormond Street hospital. Bodycare clinic will be providing support for the team during the 26 hour period.

The event which kicks off on December 4th, and will run through into the 5th; it will also be entered into the Guinness Book of records for a World Record attempt at a 26 hour squash marathon.

Excited Neil Hide, 45, who now lives near Horsham but used to live in Maidenbower, said: "It's something I thought of doing about four years ago but it wasn't the right time for me personally.

"My research at the time indicated that it hadn't been completed, since then I think there were a couple from New Zealand who managed to complete 24 hours, so we decided to try for 26 hours.

"A friend of my daughter suffered from a nasty kidney problem, which unfortunately proved fatal, she was being treated at Great Ormond Street hospital. So I decided to try and raise money for them, it's not just about breaking the record but also trying to make a difference."

Preparation for this event has involved three months of grueling training.

He added: "I'm excited about it, but also a little bit scared, because you start to think to yourself have I done enough, am I ready for this, and could I do anymore. But I'm looking forward to getting out there."

During the attempt Neil will only be allowed to rest for five minutes each hour which will not be included in the 'squash playing time' and will be broadcast live on the internet.

Mayor of Crawley, Brenda Burgess will be there to open the event, there is a fair and other entertainments, the organisers say that everyone is welcome to drop in.

There are also rumours of a famous squash player dropping into close the event on Saturday but organisers are remaining tight lipped about who it might be.

To sponsor Neil and the team visit his justgiving page at: http://www.justgiving.com/Pau--spencer1