Lisburn News

Ulster GP to attempt three world records

Maria McGleenon, Fundraising Manager for Macmillan and Geoff Wilson today launched their 3 World Record Attempts happening at this years Ulster Grand Prix in memory of Geoff's father the late Jimmy Wilson.

ALREADY hailed as the World's Fastest Road Race, the Ulster Grand Prix (UGP) will this year attempt to break three Guinness World Records during Bike Week, which will run between 5 -11 August, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The record attempts, which will take place on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th August, are the brainchild of Geoff Wilson, whose father Jim was a member of the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club and prominent organiser of the Ulster Grand Prix before sadly passing away after only three weeks of trying to beat cancer in October of last year.

Geoff Wilson said; "My family and I have already raised around £6,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support since my Dad passed away, and decided we wanted to do a major fundraising event for the charity, as it relies so heavily on donations. Dad was heavily involved in the UGP so it seemed fitting to tie our fundraising in with the event he loved so much.

"We decided to attempt three world records, one for each week from the day he was diagnosed to the exact day he died of cancer. Dad was treated in Macmillan's Antrim Unit during the final days of his life and it's very hard to put into words the great work that the Macmillan Nurses do and the admiration we have for them."

Two of the three world record attempts will take place from 3pm on Friday 10th August at the Pits area; the most hotdogs made in one minute and the most cups of tea made in one hour.

The final attempt will be for one of the riders to break the current race lap record of 133mph during the Ulster Grand Prix racing on Saturday 11th August.

Geoff said; "Macmillan needs funding to operate units like the one in Antrim and we want to do our bit to help. Please dig deep and donate at www.justgiving.com/ulstergrandprix2012. Thank you in advance, we really appreciate it.

"I would also like to thank Irwin's Bakery, who are providing the rolls, Punjana who are providing the teabags, Dale Farm who are providing the milk and Ulster Pork and Bacon who are providing the sausages to enable us to carry out this important bit of fundraising," he added.

Maria McGleenon, Fundraising Manager at Macmillan said; "Macmillan Cancer Support is absolutely thrilled to be involved in the three Guinness World Record attempts that are happening this year at the Ulster Grand Prix.

"It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside Geoff Wilson who has developed the World Record attempts idea in tribute to his father Jimmy who spent the last three weeks of his life in our Specialist Palliative Care Unit at Antrim Area Hospital. All of the money raised by Geoff, his family and the Ulster Grand Prix will be used at the Macmillan Unit at Antrim so we hope everyone digs deep and supports us."

Ulster Star
03/08/2012