Safe and Sound Confirmed as Record Breakers
A Derbyshire charity’s bid to be recognised as a record breaker has been given the green light by the world-famous governing body.
Specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound created more than 1,000 printed butterflies which were displayed at Derbion in the hope of being recognised by Guinness World Records for the world’s ‘largest display of butterfly replicas’.
After being painstakingly measured and counted by University of Derby Entomology Professor Karim Vahed and Derbyshire police PCSOs Leah Eyre and Abigail Cook, detailed evidence was submitted to Guinness World Records who have now approved the attempt – beating the previous world record which stood at 720.
Visitors to the Safe and Sound stand at Derbion and several local businesses took the opportunity to be part of the world record attempt by buying copies of the beautiful butterflies for themselves – designed and printed by Safe and Sound supporters Mercia Image Print – and these are still available to buy online at https://safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/butterfly-world-record/
Thanks to the generosity of the public and the support of main sponsor, personalised giftbox company Colleague Box, more than £3,600 has so far been raised to help take the charity to the next phase of its successful Butterfly Appeal.
Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison said: “We are over the moon to be the holders of a coveted world record.
“One of my favourite television programmes as a child was watching Roy Castle and the team on ‘Record Breakers’ and it is very exciting that we have made the official log.
“Most importantly, the world record attempt has given us the opportunity raise awareness of the dangers facing children and young people both online and in our local communities.
“It has also enabled us to raise money to help take our Butterfly Appeal to the next level and our thanks go to our amazing supporters Mercia Image Print, Colleague Box and Derbion.”
Derby-based Safe and Sound first launched its Butterfly Appeal in June 2019 to enable it to expand the breadth and scope of its work.
The appeal has since garnered wide ranging support from individuals, groups and businesses across the city and county – enabling the charity to support more than 300 young people; 60 families and to engage with over 1,000 people to raise awareness of the dangers in the past two years alone.
These include children aged as young as seven upwards who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation which includes sexual exploitation, online grooming, county lines, trafficking, modern slavery and radicalisation.
New activity programmes made possible by support through the Butterfly Appeal have included outreach work, youth activities, family support and transitions work.
The next stage of the Butterfly Appeal will focus on such specialist work as psychological therapy programmes – identified as even more important due to the pressures on young people’s mental health services post lockdown.
Photograph: Names are (left to right): Adam Bamford, CEO Colleague Box, Amanda Strong, Company Ambassador Mercia Image Print, Adam Tamsett, General Manager Derbion, Tracy Harrison, CEO Safe and Sound.
World Record Evidence Submitted
Derbyshire’s specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound have submitted detailed evidence to Guinness World Records in their bid to become a record breaker for the ‘largest display of butterfly replicas’.
University of Derby Entomology Professor Karin Vahed and Derbyshire police PCSOs Leah Eyre and Abigail Cook painstakingly measured and counted just over 1,007 printed butterflies displayed at the Derbion Centre on Saturday.
The world record currently stands at 720 and Safe and Sound has submitted written and visual evidence to Guinness World Records in the hope of joining the thousands of other individuals and groups who have been officially recognised over the decades for their feats and endeavours.
Visitors to the Safe and Sound stand on Saturday were able to be part of the world record attempt by buying copies of the beautiful butterflies for themselves – designed and printed by Safe and Sound supporters Mercia Image Print.
Several local companies have also bought a larger butterfly with their company logo emblazoned on one of the wings to show their support.
Visitors lending their support on the day included Derby North MP Amanda Solloway and the Mayor of Derby Cllr Robin Wood.
Meanwhile families joined craft activities to make butterfly masks and talked to the Safe and Sound team to learn more about the grooming dangers facing young people in local communities and online.
Thanks to the generosity of the public and the support of main sponsor, personalised giftbox company Colleague Box, more than £3,600 has so far been raised to help take the charity to the next phase of its successful Butterfly Appeal.
Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison explained: “One of my favourite television programmes as a child was watching Roy Castle and the team on ‘Record Breakers’ and it is very exciting to think that we may make that official log in the coming weeks.
“We are so grateful to the amazing companies and individuals who have supported us in this world record attempt.
“It was also the perfect opportunity to be able to talk to more families about child exploitation and particularly about how they can better protect their children and young people from online grooming by strengthening privacy settings on social media and gaming accounts.”
Safe and Sound first launched its Butterfly Appeal in June 2019 to enable it to expand the breadth and scope of its work to support and protect children and young people across Derbyshire who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation as well as supporting the wider family and raising awareness in local communities.
The appeal has since garnered wide ranging support from individuals, groups and businesses across the city and county – enabling the charity to support more than 300 young people; 60 families and to engage with over 1,000 people to raise awareness of the dangers in the past two years alone.
These include children aged as young as seven upwards who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation which includes sexual exploitation, online grooming, county lines, trafficking, modern slavery and radicalisation.
New activity programmes made possible by support through the Butterfly Appeal have included outreach work, youth activities, family support and transitions work.
The next stage of the Butterfly Appeal will focus on such specialist work as psychological therapy programmes – identified as even more important due to the pressures on young people’s mental health services post lockdown.
Mrs Harrison continued: “The serious message behind this event was that young people are, today, at even greater danger of child exploitation.
“This is borne out in the fact that our workload has doubled over the pandemic as perpetrators have taken advantage of young people’s isolation and particularly their increased use of social media and gaming sites.
“Lack of privacy settings and lack of awareness about grooming and exploitation has made young people even more vulnerable to perpetrators looking to draw victims into heinous sexual activity, drugs crime, modern slavery and radicalisation.”
Natalie Bamford, managing director of personalised giftbox company Colleague Box continued: “Safe and Sound is one of the key charities that we have supported since launching our company just over a year ago.
“We have helped them buy a mini bus which is crucial to getting the charity back into local communities and I am so pleased that we have been able to support them with this fantastic world record attempt.”
Amanda Strong from Mercia Image Print is also an ambassador for Safe and Sound. She concluded: “There was a real buzz around the event at the Derbion and we are delighted that people loved the butterfly designs.”
It is still possible for individuals, families and businesses to be part of the world record bid by visiting https://safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/2021-support-ideas/.
Guinness World Records Recognition
Safe and Sound were recognised by Guinness World Records for the world’s ‘largest display of butterfly replicas’.
World Record Attempt Marks Next Stage In Charity Growth
Derbyshire’s specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound are gearing up for a world record attempt to spearhead the next phase of their Butterfly Appeal.
Safe and Sound have been working with two local businesses, Colleague Box and Mercia Image Print, to develop their plan to smash the current world record for the ‘largest display of butterfly replicas’.
The world record currently stands at 720 but organisers are planning to display 1000 professionally- printed butterfly images at the Derbion on Saturday, August 28.
Professor Karim Vahed who specialises in Entomology at the University of Derby, will first validate the authenticity of the species displayed – the Peacock, Purple Emperor, Small Tortoiseshell, Holly Blue and Common Brimstone – and carefully count and verify the paper replicas before the display is open to the public between 10 am and 4 pm.
His report, backed by independent reports and visual evidence of the event, will then be submitted to Guinness World Records who will decide if Safe and Sound have clinched the world record.
Ahead of the event and on the day, the public are invited to buy one of the paper replicas for £5 https://safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/2021-support-ideas/ which will be accompanied by a certificate showing they have been part of a world record attempt.
Throughout the day, there will also be children’s craft activities as well as the chance to find out more about the signs and dangers of child exploitation and how Safe and Sound can help.
Derby-based Safe and Sound first launched its Butterfly Appeal in June 2019 to enable it to expand the breadth and scope of its work.
The appeal has since garnered wide ranging support from individuals, groups and businesses across the city and county – enabling the charity to support more than 300 young people; 60 families and to engage with over 1,000 people to raise awareness of the dangers in the past two years alone.
These include children aged as young as seven upwards who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation which includes sexual exploitation, online grooming, county lines, trafficking, modern slavery and radicalisation.
New activity programmes made possible by support through the Butterfly Appeal have included outreach work, youth activities, family support and transitions work.
The next stage of the Butterfly Appeal will focus on such specialist work as psychological therapy programmes – identified as even more important due to the pressures on young people’s mental health services post lockdown.
CEO Tracy Harrison, a former senior police officer who joined the charity just before the launch of the Butterfly Appeal, said: “Our world record attempt is the perfect way to celebrate the success of the Butterfly Appeal two years down the line and to thank everyone who has supported us so far.
“On a personal note, I have always wanted to be in the Guinness Book of World Records and this is an opportunity for us and our supporters to be part of this achievement.
“The serious message behind this event is that young people are, today, at even greater danger of child exploitation.
“This is borne out in the fact that our workload has doubled over the pandemic as perpetrators have taken advantage of young people’s isolation and particularly their increased use of social media and gaming sites.
“Lack of privacy settings and lack of awareness about grooming and exploitation has made young people even more vulnerable to perpetrators looking to draw victims heinous sexual activity, drugs crime, modern slavery and radicalisation.”
Natalie Bamford, managing director of personalised giftbox company Colleague Box continued: “The display in the Derbion will be a strong visual reminder of why Safe and Sound chose the butterfly to signify their work.
“Despite the growing dangers of exploitation facing young people both online and in our local communities, we are extremely lucky to have a specialist local charity based here that helps young people and their families to build stronger wings and move forward with their lives.
“Safe and Sound is one of the key charities that we have supported since launching our company just over a year ago. We have helped them buy a minibus which is crucial to getting the charity back into local communities and I am so pleased that we have been able to support them with this fantastic world record attempt.”
Amanda Strong from Mercia Image Print is also an ambassador for Safe and Sound. She concluded: “Although there is obviously a serious message behind the event, we hope that the public will embrace the opportunity to be part of this local world record attempt.
“People can pledge as little as £5 online and then come down to the Derbion to collect their own paper butterfly and a certificate to show their involvement on Saturday, August 28.
“We are also offering businesses and individuals an A3 print of one of the beautiful butterflies from £50 which we will personalise for display in offices and homes.”
For more information about the world record attempt and how to support Safe and Sound, please visit https://safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/2021-support-ideas/