NUH worker's bid for crowning glory: help us set a new world record | Latest news

An NHS worker has unveiled ambitious plans to set a new world record to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June.

Jackie Henson, ward administrator on B49 at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals Trust (NUH), wants as many people as possible to wear a crown at 12 noon on Sunday 5 June.

The record for the most people wearing a paper crown at the moment is for 2,261 in Hyderabad in India on 22 June 2018.

“It all started with a conversation with neighbours about how to mark the Queen’s jubilee,” said Jackie.  “And it’s escalated from there!

“I live on a narrowboat so we couldn’t have a street party as we haven’t got a street! And just using it as an excuse to have a barbecue or something didn’t feel enough for what really is an amazing achievement.

“So we decided we’d all be queens for the weekend. What started as a street party for the boating community has – touch wood – turned into a Beeston-wide event.”

Jackie wanted NUH to be involved – particularly given that the QMC was opened by the Queen as part of her Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977.

“I thought we could get all the staff and patients on B49 to join in – B49 is a lovely ward and likes to get involved in things. And then, I thought, why just B49, let’s get the whole of the QMC doing it. For all the patients who are going to be in hospital over that bank holiday weekend, why can’t they be involved?”

Jackie and her neighbours have linked up with local Sea Scouts, the Roundtable, and local other organisations – as well as the Arts Champions at NUH - to spread the word and encourage people to join in.

“Even the kids in the Children’s Hospital can take part,” said Jackie. “All they have to do is colour in a crown. It’s simple and inclusive – and for anyone who can’t make their own crown, we’ve got people who will make them for them.”

The record bid also aims to raise awareness for the Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health which was set up in 1919. For every £1 donated, 81p goes to treatment and support, 16p on fundraising, and 3p on raising awareness.

Darren Henry, MP for Broxtowe, said: “I am delighted to support this great – and fun - initiative to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. I hope everyone gets behind it and supports it in any way they can to help set a new world record – what an excellent way to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

“And, as her Majesty is Head of the Armed Forces, I am sure that raising awareness and funds for the Combat Stress veterans’ charity would meet with her approval.”

To take part in Jackie’s bid for a Guinness world record, simply take a selfie wearing a crown – with a watch or clock in the picture - and email it to Beeston.Crown@hotmail.com. (NUH staff should send theirs to NUHcrown@hotmail.com)  

If you take a group shot – save the number of people in the photo into the filename (for example, 40inwardB49). It can be a homemade crown, a dressing-up crown, an inflatable crown – just so long as you wear a crown.

Your photos won’t be published anywhere unless you choose to - they are purely for calculating the total and gathering evidence. However, people are encouraged to share their selfies on social media, with the hashtags #beestonwearsacrown and #nuhqueensforaday