This Sunday (August 31) sees the world’s biggest Sherlock Festival as a new Guinness World Records™ title attempt takes place for the Most People Dressed as Sherlock Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes, one of the most popular consulting detectives of all time, is on the case to help raise money for one of Europe’s largest teaching hospitals – the Leeds Teaching Hospitals – to help raise funds for a new Yorkshire Brain Research Centre.
The Guinness World Records attempt promises to be the biggest Sherlock party ever. Entry fee is £15 and every participant will receive a Deerstalker hat, pipe and magnifying glass on the day of the event. The minimum number of people required to set a new Guinness World Records title is 250 participants.
Activities include a big stage featuring comedy, music, dance, cosplay, circus and theatre. There will be food, fun rides and a few special guest surprises along the way.
Clair Challenor-Chadwick, Appeal Director of the Yorkshire Brain Research Centre, said: Sherlock is the perfect fit for brain research as the brainiest detective of all time was born in Yorkshire. He is helping us raise awareness of this much under-funded area and to help patients with dementia, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and MS. You don’t have to be a super fan to join in, everyone is welcome to come and help support this crucial cause and the great thing about Sherlock is he’s loved by so many across the generations. It’s going to be a fun family day out, and we’re asking everyone to get behind the event, be part of a World Record, and help the new Brain Research Centre make life changing differences.
A spokesperson from Guinness World Records said: We’d like to wish everyone participating in this attempt the very best of luck. It’s for a great cause, and hopefully by the end you’ll be official Guinness World Records holders.
The event has galvanised world-wide support with donations from Chile, France, USA, Canada, Japan and Mexico. Sherlocks have been popping up from around the world on social media, with Sherlock fans posting #sherlockselfie pics to help raise awareness of brain research and the world record attempt. Pictures have been posted from the Great Wall of China, from Australian beaches, and outside 221B Baker Street itself.
The new research centre will help deal with life-limiting brain conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and dementia. The centre will conduct research for patient benefit and will help scientists find new treatments and drug therapies.
By 2030 there will be a 20% increase in Parkinson’s alone, a disease that we’ve seen take its toll with Robin Williams, while numbers of dementia patients are expected to soar by 80%.
Social media fans are being asked to TEXT BRAIN to 88811 to donate £5 and to nominate a friend.
To register to the event go to www.sherlockworldrecord.com
For special announcements and event news follow @sherlockrecord, #sherlockselfie
