By Tricia Mifsud
WHITTLESEA community and surrounding areas are now the proud record holders of the longest human made paper chain, in recognition of International Day of People with a Disability.
Participants brought along their crafted paper chains to the Whittlesea Showgrounds on Friday and, despite windy conditions making the task more difficult than first thought, the lengths were joined together in front of representatives from The Australian Book Of Records who adjudicated the record attempt.
Measuring at 4.93 kilometres when completely linked, the paper chains were crafted by various community and education groups, including Whittlesea Police Station, Whittlesea neighbourhood Watch, Hazel Glen College, Lifeskills, Aurora Support Services, Maples Early Learning in Mernda and Marymede Early Learning Centre.
Whittlesea police organised the event to enhance working relationships within the disability community sector and to continue to establish new relationships within the community and surrounding areas.
“Whittlesea police members were very proud to partner with the Whittlesea Police Service Area community, who came together to celebrate International Day of People with a Disability in response to the ‘Chiefs Challenge’,” a Whittlesea police spokesperson said.
Whittlesea police and the community will endeavour to break the record set each year, inviting more and more community groups and schools to take part as they unite to continue creating relationships with people living with disabilities.
International Day of People with a Disability is celebrated annually on December 3, and is a United Nations observed day aimed at increasing awareness, understanding and acceptance of people living with disabilities.
It has been supported by the Federal Government, which provides funding to promote and raise awareness of the day and supports activities to celebrate the day across Australia each year since 1996.
People can visit the International Day of People with a Disability website to find out more about the day.
