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The goal of getting more than 1672 redheads together to beat the Guinness World Record for the most redheads in one spot was not met on Saturday.
However, with 769 people with red hair gathering at Wade Park, accompanied by non-redheaded family and friends, the Redhead Hunt 4 HD event was not a failure.
In addition to celebrating redhead pride and solidarity, the main purpose of the event was to raise money and awareness for Huntington’s Disease services and with donations, raffles and an auction that was accomplished.
VIDEO: Participants discuss why it’s great to have red hair:
Event coordinator Rachael Brooking estimated that at least 2000 people in total would have come through the gate for the event.
She said people came from as far as Melbourne, Albury, Wagga Wagga, Newcastle and Avoca Beach and Sydney for the event.
VIDEO: Registering for the world record count:
“We didn’t break the world record but we did break the Orange record with 769, which is a fantastic thing,” Mrs Brooking said.
“I’m happy to do it all again, I’m still yet to find out how much we’ve raised from today, any outcome is great but the bigger the better.”
Mrs Brooking decided to host the fundraising and awareness raising event in memory of her mother, who died as a result of Huntington’s Disease, and her brother has also inherited the genetic disease.
“The cause is very close to my heart,” she said.
“Huntington’s Disease is a tragic disease that nobody knows a lot about it and I’m thrilled to raise awareness for my mother and my brother.
“I definitely think there’s possibilities for it being an annual event, it’s a town called Orange and the world record attempt went really well, it was the first time so it was a little slow.”
VIDEO: Timelapse of people arriving for the count
As well as bringing people with red hair together, the event also included a red beard competition, a Huntington’s NSW raffle, children’s activities and rides, a fundraising auction and live music.
Alison and Ben Carvosso from Luskintyre, came from near Lochinvar in the Hunter Valley to take part in the world record attempt.
“We came down for the count and to see Orange again,” Mrs Carvosso said.
“I used to go to the Orange Agricultural College as it was known then, it’s now Charles Sturt University, it’s where I met my husband.”
Participants, Gemma and Sarah Fitzgerald and Callie Secombe travelled from Coonamble.