Can-Am, a manufacturer of All Terrain (ATV) and Side by Side vehicles (SSV), is joining forces with Stuart Connor, an experienced professional shearer and English national team member, in his attempt to break the nine-hour British lamb shearing record on Saturday 21 September 2019, at Fern Hill Farm in Bristol.
The record attempt is in memory of Stuart and his wife Kira’s daughter, Grace, who sadly passed away at the age of three in April 2018 Mitochondrial Disease and aims to raise much needed funds to help increase awareness and support those and their families suffering from the Disease.
Mitochondrial Disease is caused by mutations in the mitochondria which are present in every cell in the human body and are responsible for generating 90 per cent of the energy needed for cells to survive. Research into the condition is being carried out by ‘The Lily Foundation’, the UK’s leading charity for Mitochondrial Disease and is fighting the disease through research into its prevention, diagnosis and treatment, whilst also providing assistance to those affected by the condition.
To break the current British record, Stuart must shear in excess of 781 lambs and is being mentored by world renowned professional shearer and nine-hour ewe world record holder Matt Smith. He is also being trained by Matt Luxton, who was voted the UK’s most innovative fitness entrepreneur in 2012. Stuart must undertake a completely different approach in his build-up to the record. For example, he will be constantly monitored for fluid intake and various other tests to ensure he is at the peak of his performance on the day to break the record.
Can-Am is supporting this event as part an ongoing initiative to work with various charities in the UK and around the globe, to enable them to continue their research which they are carrying out by supporting networks that are available for people to access.
James Dalke, BRP UK district commercial manager, says, “We are entrenched in the farming community and when we heard that Stuart was attempting this record and why he was doing it, we decided it was right for Can-Am alongside local dealer JW and TJ Pearce to back him in this endeavour. Both monetarily and through the provision of a vehicle for him and his team to use during the event, to ensure everything runs smoothly on the day. We know Stuart and his team have put in the hard work preparing for this record and we look forward to him putting in a performance that breaks the current record, whilst also increasing awareness of Mitochondrial Disease and the great work ‘The Lily Foundation’ is dedicated to research to help fight this disease for future generations.”
To find out more about the Lily Foundation visit www.thelilyfoundation.co.uk/ and Stuart’s ‘Just Giving’ page www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/lilyfoundation/teamgrace
