A business owner is aiming for the record books with a gruelling rugby challenge to raise thousands for a life-saving charity.
Andover's Tommy Gentleman will attempt 156 rugby conversions in 60 minutes on June 17 in support of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
The Guinness World Record attempt, titled "156 Kicks for CRY", highlights a stark statistic: 156 young people die every three months in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions, according to the charity.
Mr Gentleman is hoping to raise £21,000, enough to fund three free heart screening days for young people and families. Each screening day costs £7,000 and allows around 100 people to receive potentially life-saving checks.
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The challenge is deeply personal for Mr Gentleman, whose younger brother Jamie died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition just five days before his 14th birthday.
Mr Gentleman said: "That moment in 2009 changed my family forever, so this is not just a world record attempt, it’s a prevention-led campaign and part of a lifelong commitment to honour Jamie’s legacy.
"Every successful kick I make represents an opportunity to fund life-saving cardiac screening through CRY and reduce the number of families affected by sudden cardiac death.
"We should not accept the loss of 156 young lives every three months when increased and accessible heart screening can save them."
The event will take place at The Recreation Ground, home of Bath Rugby, starting at 11am. The challenge is officially registered with Guinness World Records, with the first record set once 150 successful kicks are completed within the hour.
Known locally as ‘Tommy G’, Mr Gentleman has built a reputation for combining sport with purpose. A former world champion in sport ju-jitsu, he is now a grassroots rugby player, youth coach and facilities lead at Hampshire RFU.
He previously set a Guinness World Record in 2024 for the most rugby conversions in one minute.
Businesses and individuals are being encouraged to support the campaign through sponsorship, donations or by helping to raise awareness.
For more information or to support the challenge, visit: 156kicks.com.
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