Kirsty Handyside brought her Zumba energy to Woking & Sam Beare Hospice recently as they celebrated her Guinness World Record success.

Alongside other Zumba enthusiasts, Kirsty had danced for 24 hours and 14 minutes, breaking the existing world record of 24 hours.

Kirsty has been a Zumba instructor for five years, but no amount of classes could have prepared her for the intensity of dancing for an entire day and night.

“It was my ten-year-old son, Joshua, who persuaded me to take part in the challenge,” said Kirsty. “He loves the whole Guinness World Records concept so was really keen for me to do it.

“When I’m asked about it now, my response is ‘yeah it was great’, as I think my mind has blocked out how hard it was!

“It was brilliant but exhausting. The biggest struggle was the back pain that came with being on my feet for so long.

“Everyone around me kept me going though, especially Darren, who comes to my classes and is also an instructor. He was bouncing around the steps as easily at the 24th hour as he was at the first hour!

“It was lovely getting messages from people with words of encouragement throughout too and it gave me a much-needed boost as the hours clocked up.

“Tanya, who arranged it and instructed the whole thing, was a brilliant motivator. I was inspired by her strength.”

Kirsty’s efforts raised £1,103.20 for the hospice.

“The hospice cared for my uncle a few years ago,” said Kirsty. “Firstly at home and then in the inpatient unit for the last few weeks of his life.

“He always praised how much the hospice helped him, so it’s lovely to be able to give a little something back.”