Whitworth High’s world record odd sock challenge

Whitworth Community High School students Michael Simpson and Gabriella Greenwood prepare to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by helping with an odd sock World Record

A world record attempt is being made by staff and students at Whitworth Community High School as part of World Down Syndrome Day.

Staff charity representative Mandy Pickering is organising a fundraising event on 21 March, along with the school’s student charity champion Charlotte Evans.

Mrs Pickering said: “We have two students Michael Simpson, 15, and Gabriella Greenwood, 16, who are now in Year 11, and both have Down Syndrome.

“When they were in Year 7, we held an event for World Down Syndrome Day, but, because of Covid, this is only the second time we have been able to arrange a fundraiser and it is their last year in school. We are going to miss them.

“We wanted to make this an extra special fundraiser so I started researching world records for odd socks, because on World Down Syndrome Day people are asked to wear odd socks to raise money and awareness.

“I found that there was one – for the most odd socks used to spell out the longest word – 1,447 were used to spell out Happiness which was written in Arabic. The record holders are from Dubai.

“I have come up with the word Inspirational which is 13 letters and we are collecting odd socks to try to make a record attempt on 21 March, World Down Syndrome Day.”

Also on that day, the school will be holding a bake sale and raffles and approaches are being made to local businesses to offer prizes. Already Rochdale Football Club and Dansworks Dance Academy of Performing Arts have given donations.

Anyone who wants to donate a raffle prize can contact the school on 01706 343218.