Big Bay Academy in Parklands along with six other schools across the country contributed to breaking a Guinness World Record title through their partcipation in the life-saving stroke awareness initiative, FAST Heroes.
Seven local primary schools were among the schools in 20 countries that participated in the superhero theme, breaking the world record with 20 350 photos.
The FAST Heroes campaign is a schools initiative aimed at teaching children to recognise the three most common stroke symptoms – to protect their families when it strikes.
For the record attempt, undertaken to celebrate the campaign launch, participants were asked to upload a photo of themselves wearing a superhero mask via the online campaign photo booth.
In total, 20 350 unique photos were submitted, with children, parents and grandparents sharing “superhero selfies” from all around the world.
Jan van der Merwe from the Angels Initiative, who leads the FAST Heroes campaign, said: “Succeeding in achieving such an impressive Guinness World Record title is a great way to show the huge engagement and support that the FAST Heroes campaign is receiving from around the world. We’re delighted that over 150 000 children have taken part via their school so far and helped pass potentially life-saving knowledge on to their families.”
Sheila Martins, neurology professor and President elect of the World Stroke Organisation, who supports and endorses the FAST Heroes campaign, said: “One in four of us will have a stroke in our lifetime”. Worldwide, stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability. However, stroke is treatable. People who have a stroke need access to high quality acute care as quickly as possible, so increasing awareness of the key symptoms is vital. Children can help make a real difference by sparking interest among their wider family. The overarching aim is to help ensure that when stroke strikes, our parents and grandparents can survive with their lives intact thanks to effective and fast treatment.”
Following the Guinness World Record title success, the FAST Heroes campaign will continue recruiting new teachers and schools as it works towards its mission of educating a million children from across the world about stroke.
To find out more about the campaign, visit www.fastheroes.com.
