They did it - March foursome break world record for darts and help charity too

A foursome from March celebrated a double victory on Saturday - not only did they break a world record but they also raised thousands for charity with the attempt.

Husband and wife team, Tony and Lorraine Barnes and brother Simon and Garry Whittaker, stepped up to the oche at the GER Club in a bid to break the world record for the longest game of pairs at darts.

And they smashed it - the record before Saturday stood at 49 hours, 29 minutes and 18 seconds and has stood since 2016 - after four days of throwing arrows the foursome achieve a new record at 50 hours and 2 seconds.

It cost them all sore feet, swollen ankles and two nights' sleep but they are now hoping to get the record verified by the Guinees Book of World Records in the next few weeks.

The four lined-up for the opening game at noon on Thursday and they completed their marathon effort at 2pm on Saturday. It was all in aid of Scotty's Little Soldiers, the charity set up in memory of former Neale-Wade student Cpl Lee Scott, who was killed in Afghanistan.

Lee known by his mates as Scotty served in the Tank Regiment and Simon Whittaker served alongside him.

Tony said: "It is a great cause and it looks as if we will have raised between £3,000 and £3,500 by the time all the money has come in, which is fantastic.

"We were all suffering with very sore feet and to honest there was definitely a 'wall' we had to get over in the early hours of Saturday, but it is worthwhile to help such a good cause."

The day concluded with a disco but Tony said he and his fellow competitors did not take to the dance floor.

He said: "We had a couple of pints and then had a fairly early night. We had some great support throughout and so there is a long list of people we would like to thank. These include: David and Linda Kin, Joanne Anderson-Wenn, Rachel Redhead, Peter Church, Liam Moore, Bec Amor, Shaun Taylor and Gary and Simon's wives - Sharon and Melanie, and finally Dean Elkin."

And he added: "We are also very grateful to Nigel Searle who really gee'd us up towards the end by coming along and playing some up beat music, it really helped get us through."

The group had hoped to hit the 52 hours mark, but found the going really tough towards the end and decided to finish once the final number had a five at the start.

"It sounds quite easy throwing darts, but going without sleep and standing up was a real challenge and of course after throwing for all that time our arms ached too," concluded Tony.

To sponsor the record breaking attempt visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tony-lorraine-simon-gary-worldrecorddarts

And for more about Scotty's visit: www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk