Home   Romney Marsh   News   Article

Dymchurch: 'Oops Upside Your Head' world record attempt in memory of Martin Gunton

A widow whose husband died of cancer will attempt to beat a Guinness World Record to help raise aid for the charity that helped them.

Radley Gunton, 54, is calling on volunteers to take part in the world’s largest procession of people doing the Oops Upside Your Head dance tomorrow.

Her life was devastated when her husband of 20 weeks, Martin Gunton, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer, aged 54.

Radley and Martin Gunton on their wedding day
Radley and Martin Gunton on their wedding day

The cafe owner, who lives in Dymchurch High Street, explained: "He was a fit man but his life suddenly started deteriorating, we had been married for 20 weeks when he died.

"My husband had a heart attack, then we decided to get married in March, three months later we found out he had cancer, in August he died.

"When he was diagnosed the disease had spread all over his body.

"When something like that happens it changes everything and since then I’ve put all of my energy into family and raising aid for the hospice."

Mrs Gunton, who runs Dymchurch’s Village Cafe, said the Pilgrims Hospice's end of life care team gave the couple a precious last three weeks together.

And to repay their hard work she hopes to gather 500 people to take part in the event, taking place at 3pm on Dymchurch beach near the slipway.

“We had a friend who also died of cancer and they always wanted to do this challenge," she said.

“I thought it would be a good idea to do it on behalf of the Pilgrims Hospice, we are also raising money for the Royal British Legion.”

She voiced hopes to double the current world record, which she puts at 246 people, and asked people for a £2 donation.

Registration will take place from 1.30pm on the beach for a 3pm rendition of The Gap Band’s 1979 funk classic.

Ms Gunton added: "We would like to raise as much money as we can for the charities to help them with the fantastic work they do."

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More