Latest News | 25 August 2021
Charity bids for world record to highlight appeal
Specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound will be bidding for a world record this weekend – with the backing of Colleague Box and Mercia Image Print.
The charity has been working with the two businesses to develop their plan to smash the current world record for the ‘largest display of butterfly replicas’.
The world record currently stands at 720 but organisers are planning to display 1,000 professionally printed butterfly images at the Derbion shopping centre on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm.
The attempt represents the next phase of Safe and Sound’s Butterfly Appeal, which aims to raise funds to help it expand the breadth and scope of its work to include children aged as young as seven upwards who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation.
Professor Karim Vahed, who specialises in entomology at the University of Derby, will first validate the authenticity of the species displayed.
His report, backed by independent reports and visual evidence of the event, will then be submitted to Guinness World Records, who will decide if Safe and Sound have clinched the world record.
Ahead of the event and on the day, the public are invited to buy one of the paper replicas for £5 by clicking here.
Throughout the day, there will also be children’s craft activities, as well as the chance to find out more about the signs and dangers of child exploitation and how Safe and Sound can help.
Tracy Harrison, chief executive at Safe and Sound, said: “Our world record attempt is the perfect way to celebrate the success of the Butterfly Appeal two years down the line and to thank everyone who has supported us so far.
“The serious message behind this event is that young people are, today, at even greater danger of child exploitation.”
Natalie Bamford, managing director of personalised giftbox company Colleague Box, said: “The display in the Derbion will be a strong visual reminder of why Safe and Sound chose the butterfly to signify their work.
“Despite the growing dangers of exploitation facing young people both online and in our local communities, we are extremely lucky to have a specialist local charity based here that helps young people and their families to build stronger wings and move forward with their lives.”
“Safe and Sound is one of the key charities that we have supported since launching our company just over a year ago.
“We have helped them buy a minibus, which is crucial to getting the charity back into local communities and I am so pleased that we have been able to support them with this fantastic world record attempt.”
Amanda Strong, from Mercia Image Print, is also an ambassador for Safe and Sound.
She said: “Although there is obviously a serious message behind the event, we hope that the public will embrace the opportunity to be part of this local world record attempt.”
