Record takes breath away

Assembling a picture made of 45,283 coloured balloons to enter the World Guinness Books of Records offered Hong Kong youth meaningful insights.

The balloon picture won its place by being the first of its kind created. It also allowed more than 3,000 teenagers, from 12 to 17 years of age, to enhance their sense of personal potential and their awareness of charity.

The 'A Thousand Young Hearts - An Attempt to Beat World Records' was organised by the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service and Eternal Flame Action, a non-profit organisation which promotes the development of youth in Hong Kong. The teenagers worked together to create the picture at the Hong Kong Sports Institute soccer ground.

Eternal Flame Action chairman Edward Lau Chi-wai said he believed the event had boosted the teenagers' belief in their own capabilities and their sense of charity.

'It helps them to recognise their own abilities and empowers them to make a contribution or take an active role in their communities,' Mr Lau said.

'We hope the participants will take the opportunity to light up the flame of contribution in their hearts and extend it to each person in every corner of the city.' Participants were assigned to one of 120 teams and guided to where they had to place the balloons to make the picture.