On Thursday 15th September in Bradford’s City Park, 2,331 men, women and children formed the longest chain of people making heart-shaped hand gestures, setting a new Guinness World Record.
The event was named #LoveBradford, after a Twitter hashtag that people used to highlight positive news and events from the city.
Bradfordians managed to break the previous record; set by a steel production business in Japan, by holding the pose for 60 seconds in Centenary Square.
Organised by Bradford Council, the event worked with a range of partners, to connect people from across the Bradford district in a celebration of its friendly and diverse area.
Paul Griffiths from Pulse 1 was on stage and provided entertainment in the lead up to the event, alongside Bradford’s innovative Healthy Hearts campaign, which added a healthy twist by encouraging adults to get their blood pressure checked.
The Brick Box arts organisation kept the crowds entertained while street theatre collective – Cecil Green Arts – provided a feast for the eyes.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Geoff Reid, said: “Once again, it’s a fantastic event for City Park.
“It’s a wonderful venue for lots and lots of people, so this is the definite place to break records.
“A lot of effort has gone into raising money for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal as part of it, which will go towards helping the charity ‘Young Minds’ and the health and wellbeing of children.”
Labour MP for Bradford West, Naz Shah, was in full support of the event.
She added: “Love Bradford. You can’t get better than that. I’m absolutely buzzing. It’s absolutely phenomenal. I am so proud to be a Bradford MP.”
Chief Executive of Bradford Council, Kersten England, said: “I want to say thank you to all the school children, all 1,500 of you who came here from all across the district.”
Donations for the Lord Mayor’s Fund can be made at localgiving.org/fundraising/lovebradford-worldrecord.
