Charity flutters into the record books with butterfly display

Specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound has been confirmed as a world record breaker for a butterfly display it staged at the Derbion shopping centre.

Last year, the charity created more than 1,000 printed butterflies, which were displayed at Derbion in the hope of being recognised by Guinness World Records for the world’s ‘largest display of butterfly replicas’.

After being painstakingly measured and counted by University of Derby Entomology Professor Karim Vahed and Derbyshire police PCSOs Leah Eyre and Abigail Cook, detailed evidence was submitted to Guinness World Records.

It has now approved the attempt, which has beaten the previous world record of 720.

Visitors to the Safe and Sound stand at Derbion and several local businesses took the opportunity to be part of the world record attempt by buying copies of the butterflies for themselves – designed and printed by Safe and Sound supporters Mercia Image Print.

The butterflies are still available to buy online at https://www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/butterfly-world-record/.

Thanks to the generosity of the public and the support of main sponsor, personalised giftbox company Colleague Box, more than £3,600 was raised to help take the charity to the next phase of its Butterfly Appeal.

Tracy Harrison, chief executive at Safe and Sound, said: “We are over the moon to be the holders of a coveted world record.

“One of my favourite television programmes as a child was watching Roy Castle and the team on ‘Record Breakers’ and it is very exciting that we have made the official log.

“Most importantly, the world record attempt has given us the opportunity raise awareness of the dangers facing children and young people both online and in our local communities.

“It has also enabled us to raise money to help take our Butterfly Appeal to the next level and our thanks go to our amazing supporters Mercia Image Print, Colleague Box and the Derbion shopping centre.”

Derby-based Safe and Sound first launched its Butterfly Appeal in June 2019 to enable it to expand the breadth and scope of its work.

The appeal has since garnered wide ranging support from individuals, groups and businesses across the city and county – enabling the charity to support more than 300 young people, 60 families and to engage with over 1,000 people.