ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Leicester's De Montfort University is hoping to make a splash for this year's Global Handwashing Day.

The institution is attempting to set a new world record for the largest number of children to wash their hands simultaneously.

The "Germ Busting Washathon" will bring together schoolchildren from across the UK to take part in an online hand washing lesson. The move is the brainchild of the university's microbiology and education experts Professor Katie Laird and Professor Sarah Younie whose research led to the creation of the educational brand Germ's Journey.

"We founded Germ's Journey to create better health for children through free infection prevention education in order to create lifelong hand hygiene habits," said Professor Katie Laird. "We felt attempting a world record with children from across the UK would be a fun and exciting way to engage children in this important life skill."

Germ's Journey has reached tens of thousands of children worldwide through books and teaching resources supplied to schools and healthcare facilities. The brand has also produced interactive online platforms, games and videos designed to teach children about germs and hygiene.

De Montfort University is inviting schools across the UK to take part in the record-breaking attempt. Every institution signing up for the Germ Busting Washathon will receive free Germ's Journey soap dispensers. And the first 300 to enrol will be sent a complementary set of Germ's Journey books plus other educational resources.

The world record-busting attempt will take place on October 15.