World record bid football match lasts nearly 10 hours

Fundraising footballers in Hawick believed they have set a new world record for the number of players taking part in a continuous seven-a-side game.

Managers from a local factory organised the match in aid of a workmate's wife who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).

Friday's game at Volunteer Park lasted for close to 10 hours with more than 320 players pulling on their boots.

Shona Redpath, who helped organise the match, said: "There's nothing we can do to help Kendra's illness, but we can raise money for research and the other work that MND Scotland do."

Kendra Law was diagnosed with MND in June 2023.

Support from the charity MND Scotland has made living with the degenerative illness much easier for the former bakery worker and her family.

Among the players who took part in the world record match was her husband, James.

He said: "Getting a world record is amazing, and so is raising so much money or MND Scotland.

"When Kendra was diagnosed, MND Scotland were there for us, providing advice about financial help to make life easier around the house, and even providing places for us to go on holiday.

"They are providing such valuable support and I'm so pleased my workmates and the people of Hawick have helped us say thank you this way."

MND is a degenerative condition which affects nerves in the brain and spinal chord, reducing muscle function around the body.

Sport stars such as Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow raised the profile of the disease and the need for more research into finding a cure.

MND Scotland is one of several charities which not only provides support for people living with the disease but also funds and lobbies for research.

But it relies heavily on donations and fundraising events, with more than £15,000 being raised during the 10-hour world record match.

Shona Redpath, who was one of Friday's organisers, said: "Both Kendra and James think the fundraising has been fantastic.

"Setting a new world record was just the icing on the cake."

To qualify for the record for a seven-a-side game, each player who signed up had to be involved in the match for at least 10 minutes.

Chris Regan was in charge of gathering the required proof for Guinness World Records.

He said: "Every player is recorded playing so we can provide all the evidence to Guinness.

"None of us were fit enough to do an endurance challenge so we though mass participation was the way forward - and the people of Hawick and wider area have been brilliant in their support."

The final goal was scored at Volunteer Park just after 21:30 with a total of 323 players having taken part since kick off at noon.