Epsom Man Flips 100kg Tyre for 24 Hours to Fund School Pavilion
A Sleepless Day at Glyn School’s Playing Fields
If you drive along the Epsom side of the borough, you will know Glyn School as one of those local institutions that has quietly shaped generations of families. This weekend its playing fields became the unlikely stage for a fundraising effort that tested the limits of human endurance. Former pupil James Farmer, a 43-year-old fitness instructor, spent 24 hours non-stop flipping a 100kg (16st) tractor tyre around a marked 100m track, starting at midday on Sunday and continuing through the night into Monday morning.
The effort matters because the money is going towards a new sports pavilion, a building that would transform how the school’s teams and pupils use its grounds. Glyn School celebrates its centenary next year, so there is a sense of timing as well as purpose. Pavilions are more than sheds with a roof. They are where changing, showering and refreshments happen on match days, and for a school with busy fixtures, the current facilities have clearly been stretched.
Farmer says he covered 13km, beating the existing Guinness World Records benchmark of 11.21km set by Daniel Garner in Nottingham in June 2020. He is now waiting for official verification, which is the step that will turn a remarkable night into a formal record. For those of us who live locally, it is a reminder that some of the most meaningful projects in our area are built on the goodwill of people who once walked those same corridors.
The People Behind the Challenge
James Farmer’s story is at the heart of this one. He was head boy at Glyn School and says the support he received as a teenager gave him the confidence and direction that shaped his career as a fitness instructor. Taking on a challenge like this was, in his words, a way of saying thank you. He described the night as brutal, admitting his hands and forearms were badly worn out by the morning, but he also praised the crowd who came down to cheer him on through the small hours. Those who turned up in the dark deserve credit as much as the man who kept the tyre moving.
The school’s headteacher, Jo Garrod, spoke warmly about the attempt before it began, calling Farmer’s efforts extraordinary. Schools rely heavily on this kind of community spirit, especially when capital projects sit outside core budgets. Parents, former pupils and staff all play a part in keeping facilities up to standard, and a project like this shows how an alumni connection can translate into something tangible for current students.
The campaign has so far raised close to £7,000 of its £20,000 target. Coverage by BBC Radio Surrey helped spread the word beyond the school gates, which is important for a fundraiser that depends on people who may never have set foot on the grounds. For Farmer, the physical cost is clear. For the school, the challenge is now to convert that momentum into pledges and donations before interest fades.
What Locals Can Do Next and What to Watch
There is still around £13,000 to raise, so the practical question for residents is how to help. Donations to the pavilion appeal can be made through the school’s fundraising channels, and sharing the story with friends, neighbours and local groups is just as valuable. Small contributions add up quickly when a community rallies behind a local cause, and many people in Epsom, Guildford and across Surrey have ties to schools like this one.
Watch for the Guinness World Records verification decision. If confirmed, it will give the fundraiser a lasting profile and could encourage further pledges. Keep an eye on planning and construction news too. A sports pavilion usually includes changing rooms, showers and a kitchen or refreshment area, so when building work starts there will be demand for local trades. Households planning their own bathroom refurbishment or kitchen renovation may find it useful to compare quotes from reputable bathroom fitters and kitchen specialists now, before busy periods push waiting lists out.
Finally, if you are a former pupil of Glyn School, consider getting in touch with the school’s alumni or development team. Farmer’s challenge began with a debt of gratitude, and the most effective way to repay that kindness is to make sure the next generation of pupils has the facilities they deserve. Our local story is far from finished, and it will be worth following as the target inches closer.
Source: Epsom man completes challenge flipping 100kg tractor tyre over 24 hours
