‘ARE you ready to wrap?’

Those were the words shouted out to a hall of more than 250 volunteers aiming to break the world record for most people wrapping presents simultaneously.

In a scene resembling Santa’s elves preparing gifts in his workshop, rows of people speedily wrapped toys for the five minute challenge at Citygate Church in Bournemouth.

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With 362 present wrappers needed to break the Guinness World Record, there were not quite enough volunteers in the hall to smash it. But children’s charity Barnardo’s will benefit from every toy wrapped.

And four of the voluntary present wrappers were rewarded for their efforts with vouchers for a helicopter flight, spa day, supercar driving experience and bungee jump.

The challenge was organised by Bournemouth University (BU) students Rosie Littlejohns, Catherine Doocey and Becky Fieldhouse. All three are on placement with events company Experience Days.

Rosie, who studies events and leisure marketing at BU, said: “The event did take a long time to organise, mainly because it was quite hard to find someone who was willing to donate 400 presents.

“But toy company Mattel kindly donated all these gifts.”

Catherine added: “We didn’t break the record, which is a bit sad, but it was all for a good cause.”

Robb Young, owner of Experience Days, said he was impressed with the girls’ effort, especially as the challenge was organised in just over two months.

“It’s been an amazing event but unfortunate that someone broke the record just two weeks ago, otherwise we would have set it today.

“But part of the reason we chose to do this particular challenge was because there was no downside, as all the presents are going to charity.”

He added the company would be planning a similar record-breaking event next year. In previous years, interns have planned other challenges including bungee jumps.

“The organisation is all down to them,” Robb said. “They all do a brilliant job and often join the company full-time once they’ve finished university.”