RECORD-breakers from The Castle School in Thornbury raised money for a school in Sierra Leone after a 653-strong student chain passed through a hula hoop.

Students in years 7,8 and 9 successfully beat the Guinness World Record for the longest unbroken human chain to pass through a hula hoop which stood at 502 people.

The event, which took place on Tuesday, July 22, was the brainchild of six year 9 students who were given the challenge of creating a community event bringing together different year groups.

Zoe Owen, Lucy Clarke, Daisy Byrne, Amber Channelle, Charlie Powell and Harry Eatock pitched their idea to a panel of staff and industry specialists and were given the opportunity to make their project happen.

Money raised from the event will be given to the school’s link school in Sierra Leone, Murray Town Junior School.

In October two science teachers will be travelling to Sierra Leone taking essential science supplies to help train and develop practical science teaching at the school.

Murray Town Junior School is expected to teach practical science despite having no science labs or equipment and with class sizes of up to 70.

Kelly Silverthorne, who teaches science at Castle School, said: “It was fantastic to witness a group of our students working together in order to break a world record and raise money and awareness for our link school in Sierra Leone.

“All money raised will go towards helping set up practical science teaching at Murray Town Junior School.

“The school has no science equipment and this collective effort to raise money will help us take desperately needed supplies on our visit in October.

“Each and every student involved should be very proud of what they have been a part of. They are not only record breakers but they have made a difference for some students in Sierra Leone.”