As the whistle blew at 11am yesterday, the group from Dorset began a 24-hour water slide challenge at the Sandcastle Waterpark.

The eight men and two women are hoping to smash not one but three world records with their continual sliding, which would see each of them ride the Thunderfalls slide a staggering 1,200 times.

The money raised by the challenge will be divided between The Gazette-backed Blackpool's A Knockout MRI scanning appeal and also the Help for Heroes army charity.

Cpl Kev Keenan, 24 is one of the men taking part in the challenge.
He said: "It will be tough.

"I was looking for a charity event to do and when I came across the waterslide world record on the internet I thought it would be fantastic challenge for us.

"The Sandcastle were so enthusiastic about the idea when we approached them about the record it was the natural place for us to come."
The group has already visited the Sandcastle twice to get some training in on the 90.45 metre slide.

Cpl Johno Donnelly, 24, added: "We have been working really hard at the gym to try and get our fitness up before the event.

"The stairs get pretty tiring, we each have to ride the slide 50 times and hour so a few of us got groin strain and some burns on out backs when we were here training.

"We are confident we can do it though – even if we break just one of the three records we will be delighted."

The records up for grabs are the longest distance travelled in 24 hours by a team of 10, the longest distance travelled in 24 hours by an individual and the longest distance travelled in four hours by an individual.

The soldiers from the Blandford signal regiment were not the only people raising cash for a good cause throughout the night.

Matthew Hague, a fresh food manager from Asda, undertook a 24 hour swim challenge to raise cash and a local Brownie group also took on a mini waterslide challenge.

Mayor of Blackpool Coun Robert Wynne was on hand to set the race off on Friday.

He said: "This is a fantastic but exhausting challenge.
"I think the group are very brave but their efforts are massively appreciated."

There are lots of ways you can get involved with the appeal, from organising a non-uniform day at work to holding a full blown charity event, every donation helps the campaign along.

If you would like to donate please send cheques made out to The Blackpool's A Knockout appeal, Blackpool Town hall, Corporation Street, Blackpool FY1 1AD.

Don't forget to let the Gazette know what you are up to, send you details to lisa.ettridge@blackpoolgazette.co.uk or call (01253) 361730.