STRONGMAN Mark Anglesea hopes to write himself into the next Guinness Book of Records and fund a library for his daughters’ school with a gut-busting, car carrying challenge.
The former Britain’s Strongest Man contestant is aiming to open a new chapter in his strongman exploits when he takes to Herringthorpe Stadium’s running track to try and set a new World record distance for car carrying at 2pm tomorrow.
Mark, who still holds the World record for the number of car lifts, 12 years after setting the 580-lift benchmark, must carry a specially-adapted Daihatsu hatchback more than 400 metres within an hour to become the new record holder.
But the charity-minded powerhouse is hoping to shatter the current record in an effort to raise funds for the school attended by his daughters, Morgan (10) and Drew (8).
The staff at Whiston Primary School hope to fund a new library with sponsorship from Mark’s challenge.
Mark (38), of Middlefields Drive, Whiston, said: “I want to raise as much money as I can for the school and I also want to set a distance that will be worth beating. The current record I hold is for the number of car lifts within an hour and that has stood for 12 years now.”
Mark began training for his record attempt more than a year ago and will finally strap the 350kg car, donated by Doncaster Motor Spares, onto his shoulders for the record attempt this weekend.
Dozens of youngsters from Whiston Primary School are expected to turn out at the event—which opens its doors to the public at midday—and the public are welcome to attend.
Collections will be taken for Whiston School’s new library on the day and youngsters can sign the car used in the record attempt for 50p.
Whiston Primary School’s deputy head teacher, Sheila Hunt, said: “It’s fantastic that
Mark is doing this to raise money for the school. I think some of the youngsters have a new hero.
“He came in to speak to them at a special assembly and lots of them will be going along on Saturday to cheer him on in his record attempt.
“We’re so grateful for any money to help us create a new library area.
“It’s something that the school has had planned for some time but it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure funding for projects like that.”
Mark added: “I feel stronger than I ever have done and I’m confident I can break the record. I’m just hopeful that people will come out to cheer me on.”
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