Tring squash players to make world record attempt for charity

Friday, 19 August 2022 13:29

By Sam Dean

Next month, two players from Tring Squash Club are going to attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest ever match to raise money for Florence Nightingale Hospice.

Alex Preston and Michael Pearce, who are both 40 years old, are certainly no strangers to the sport with each having over 30 years experience. Alex was even once ranked 229 in the world.

The pair aim to eclipse the current time for the longest continuous match of 38 hours and 27 seconds and set a new record of over 40 hours.

Inspiration for the fundraiser came after Alex’s mum was treated at Florence Nightingale Hospice last year and wished for support for the charity to be one of her legacies.

Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity provides comprehensive care and support through in-patient and at-home services to local families affected by life-limiting illness.

Specifically, Alex and Michael are hoping to raise in excess of £8,000 to enable the hospice to purchase its own bladder scanner. Currently, patients often have to be transported to hospital to be scanned, so an in-house scanner will allow for significantly less disruption to their daily lives and treatment.

Fundraising organiser, Joni Duncan, told Bucks Radio: “Alex and Michael are really looking forward to the match. 40 hours is an insane amount of time to play squash for but it will be worth it for such an amazing cause.”

The world record attempt will begin at Tring Squash Club at 4am on Friday 16th September and, all going well, will be completed at around 8pm the following day. Supporters are welcome to go along and cheer them on.

You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/intrepid-ltd4