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World record sparring attempt to raise awareness of stoke risk factors

July 30, 2021
NSW boxer Phil McDonald will attempt history when he steps into the ring in September. He will be taking on amateur and professional boxers across a series of 150 three-minute rounds, aiming to beat the standing record of 142 rounds. 

Phil’s epic event is to raise funds for Stroke Foundation – an act of generosity that follows the death of his father James from a stroke earlier this year.

Phil says his father was the greatest mentor he could ask for in life.

“He was a man that led by example for his whole 82 years. I miss him greatly and his life lessons will forever stay with me. I want to use this opportunity to raise awareness of stroke risk factors and encourage people to take back control of their health. Raising these funds will make a difference to survivors of stroke and to stroke research.”

Phil, who is about to turn 60, hopes to raise $10,000 to support Stroke Foundation’s work and is calling for donations through this page. He is the oldest person in the world to attempt this record.

Stroke can affect anyone, at any age and more than 80 per cent of strokes are preventable. People with health issues including high blood pressure, being overweight having high cholesterol or diabetes, are those most at risk. 

Quick action in a stroke emergency can have a significant impact on a person’s recovery, which is why Stroke Foundation wants more people to become aware of the F.A.S.T acronym.

• FACE – has their mouth drooped?
• ARMS – Can they lift both arms?
• SPEECH – Is their speech slurred?
• TIME is critical. If any of these signs appears, call 000 immediately.

Stroke Foundation gratefully receives thousands of dollars in donations each year from people like Phil. It uses the money to fund stroke research and save lives, as well as to fund programs that support stroke survivors and their families.

You can connect with Phil through his public Facebook group, The Power of Community. COVID-19 restrictions allowing, his world record-beating attempt will take place on 4 September at Black Diamond Boxing in Wollongong.

The world record is officially 141 rounds although it is no longer being updated by the Guinness World Records organisation. In 2017 a UK man went 142 sparring rounds to beat the official record, acknowledging it would not be formally recognised.