Record huggers have arms around the world

THE story of a record-breaking hug has become a worldwide sensation reported in newspapers, radio stations and websites across the globe.

Salford University students Faisal Mohyud-Din and Mohammed Azeem hugged their way into the record books to help promote The Christie’s new radiotherapy centre in Oldham.
Faisal Mohyud-Din, a talented sprinter in training for the 2012 Olympics, embraced his friend for 24 hours and 17 minutes, smashing the previous record by 16 minutes.

The pair completed the challenge on the pitch at Boundary Park during Latics’ victory over Leyton Orient.

The huggers’ story has captured the worldwide imagination featuring in heavyweight newspapers such as The Washington Daily Post and Der Spiegel in Germany.

Talk Radio Europe will be interviewing them early next week and newspapers in New Zealand have requested photographs.

ABC News have followed the story and Hollywood blogger Perez Hilton has even paid tribute to the pair. The story has also been reported in Africa, South America and Russia.

Faisal said: “We’re completely blown away by the response we’ve had. I have people request to be my friend on Facebook from countries such as Japan, Canada, Pakistan and Nigeria.

“We set out to raise awareness of a new radiotherapy centre in Oldham, and are really pleased that we’ve managed to let people know about it on a global scale. My mum is so proud.”

Alicia Custis, head of communications at The Christie, said: “To mark the fact that The Christie is bringing world class cancer care to Oldham, we wanted to break a world record in the borough.

“Never in our wildest dreams, however, did we expect this kind of attention.

“We are so grateful to Faisal and Azeem for all the work they have done to support us.”