A WORLD record sign language signathon attempt is due to start in Holy Trinity Church, Skipton, led by profoundly deaf retired Skipton church minister, Rev Michael Sabell.

The attempt begins on June 27 and is due to end on July 11, the 80th birthday of Rev Sabell when he will be signing and finger-spelling from the Bible - the New Testament - for exactly one hour each day for a total of 15 days. He says this is his fourth world record attempt and he aims to improve it by increasing the number of hours involved.

In August 1972 Rev Sabell signed a total of 10 hours non-stop reading from the New Testament - at the Deaf Centre in Yeovil, Somerset, raising funds to renovate the centre and install essential games equipment for its many members.

In October 1987, on the steps of Sheffield Town Hall, he did it again – this time 12 hours non-stop signing Ian Fleming’s James Bond novel ‘Dr. No’. The proceeds went to a group of hard-of-hearing people who, in turn, founded the British Tinnitus Association, and their headquarters are still based in Sheffield.

His 3rd effort, in September 2020, was held at Holy Trinity Church, Dacre Banks, near Pateley Bridge. Due to increasing age, it was decided to limit his signing to one hour per day – 11am-12noon – for a total of 14 days, signing the first five books of the Bible – the Old Testament. This was accomplished and the proceeds given to the British Sign Language Bible Translation project in order that profoundly deaf people can follow the New Testament in their ‘first language’ via video instead of print.

This time it will be 15 hours over 15 days – 11am-12noon – each day. Rev Sabell is reverting to the New Testament, beginning with St Mark’s Gospel.

He said: "No drinks, no comfort room visit - just sign on and on regardless."

This time the sponsorship and fundraising will be going to the ‘Bikes to Africa’ project initiated by Ripon Rotary Club, for a school for the deaf in a rural situation 20 miles north of Nairobi, Kenya.

To sponsor Rev Sabell you can send donations labelled 'signathon' to him at152 Moorview Way, Skipton, BD23 2LN, at one of the sessions or by cheque to ‘Rotary Club of Ripon Trust Fund’ sort code 20 37 13 a/c no 00245348 & please use the reference ‘signathon’.