There's a World Record attempt happening in London - and it needs your help
An East London charity is calling on locals to take part in a World Record attempt to create the longest-ever friendship bracelet.
Girls, families, and communities across London are being invited to help build the world’s longest friendship bracelet.
To mark its 150th anniversary, UK charity Girls Friendly Society (GFS) is attempting to beat the current world record of 2,800 feet, creating one enormous, continuous bracelet made by thousands of people across the UK.
And it all starts here - in London.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “Girls in Hackney, Leytonstone, and Mile End are already braiding more than just ribbon. They’re building confidence, friendships, and a deep sense of community through GFS groups that have been running in the area since 2017.
“Today, 77 girls take part in weekly sessions across four local GFS groups, supported by a remarkable team of 32 volunteers from the community. These are your neighbours, your schools, your streets, and now, your chance to be part of something record-breaking.”
“Each braid tells a story,” says Heather Smith, CEO at GFS.
“At GFS, our girls, volunteers and supporters find a community where they can feel safe to be themselves. The bracelet represents all those individuals coming together, each unique, but all connected. “Together, they send a powerful message to every girl: you belong.”
Why it matters
GFS has been creating supportive spaces for girls and young women since 1875, places where they can build confidence, make real friendships, and feel safe being themselves.
That mission is more urgent than ever. In a world where one in five girls feels lonely most or all of the time, GFS offers a much-needed antidote: connection, care, and community.
“Outside GFS, there are loads of judgment and people rain on your ideas,” said one participant. “But it’s brighter inside here, where you can be yourself, be comfortable, and shine.”
This campaign aims to raise awareness of GFS’s work and engage new supporters, while creating a national moment of joyful participation. It is free to join, open to all ages, and designed to be low-waste, low-cost, and high-impact.
Packs include ribbon, instructions, and a return envelope, all hand-assembled by GFS volunteers.
Take part and order your free pack now at: https://gfs-friendship-bracelet-world-record.raiselysite.com
Braids must be returned by 31st October to be counted toward the record attempt.