PULSES are racing today as footie fans gear up for a heart-thumping world record attempt.

PULSES are racing today as footie fans gear up for a heart-thumping world record attempt.

Thirty-six footballers will play the beautiful game for 42 hours in an attempt to raise thousands of pounds for The Evening Star's 'Have a Heart' appeal.

The campaign - which has already collected a whopping �10,000 - aims to help Ipswich Hospital develop state-of-the-art heart care facilities.

To support the vital cause the ambitious and energetic match is due to kick off at Felixstowe's Orwell High School at 10am on Saturday, August 29, and finish at 4am on the bank holiday Monday morning.

Already dozens of players have pledged to take part in the gruelling challenge, but organiser Ross Wishart is still looking for more people as well as sponsors to help raise crucial cash.

The 25-year-old said: “We are nearly there but I could do with one or two more people who are willing to put themselves through it.

“Playing a football match for 42 hours doesn't appeal to everyone!”

Originally Mr Wishart, from the Adnams Licensed Trades League, was planning a 38-hour marathon game, to beat the previous world record of 36 hours.

But two other teams are due to take the title briefly this weekend with a 40-hour session, so Mr Wishart has been forced to up the stakes.

Thankfully he has had help along the way, with Orwell High School agreeing to let the players use their pitch, and Suffolk Coastal District Council giving special permission for the floodlights to be left on overnight.

Anyone who would like to help out should e-mail r_wishart@sky.com.

To support the 'Have a Heart' appeal send cheques made payable to Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust to Have a Heart, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN, or donate money in person at the Star's Ipswich offices.

Have a Heart appeal

The Evening Star's 'Have a Heart' appeal is raising money to help fund a specialist heart attack centre at Ipswich Hospital

The Evening Star has been campaigning for a primary angioplasty centre to be set up in Ipswich so residents have the best level of care possible and don't face long journeys for treatment

After successfully changing healthcare policy with our campaign we have now launched the 'Have a Heart' appeal which is raising money to help set up a catheter laboratory at Heath Road

The Star is asking for just one pound from every person who may need care at Ipswich Hospital's cardiac department in the future - which would collect around �350,000