Giant Sleepover sets new World Record - 400 Brownies Sleep in Centrale Shopping Centre Croydon Brownies Giant Sleepover Centenary Celebration took over Centrale on Saturday night. Nearly 400 Brownies and 100 leaders and Young Leaders had a wonderful time, loads of fun, roof raising noise, singing, dancing, practicing their Circus skills and participating in a Magic Show before some quieter more traditional games and crafts before bedding down for a tiny amount of sleep.

Giant Sleepover set a new World record for the Largest Simultaneous Sleepover(multiple locations) on the same night.

Paddington Bear popped in, marmalade sandwich and all, to witness the fun and to join in some dancing with the Brownies.

The Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Avril Slipper, and her husband also came along to witness the fun and excitement. Croydon Guiders organised and hosted one of the top 3 largest Sleepovers in the country to go ahead last night as part of the Girlguiding UK Centenary Celebrations.

Although a small amount of sleep was had a huge amount of fun happened, girls were overheard to say: “It was special, I want to do it again”, “I liked the Circus (skills) the best”, “It was very bright at night”(security lighting has to be!!), “..the biggest, bestest pyjama party I’ve ever been to..”, “I liked it all”, “..wow, it’s 1.40am, how amazing?",”"I liked making things with newspaper”, “It was great to see my friends”.

This was the first such event Croydon County have put on for the girls and was an unknown quantity but with superb organisation and local community co-operation an amazing night with no dramas went ahead. We were very lucky to have wonderful donations from Giant Sleepover, Costco and Nestle and Centrale allowed us to use the centre at no charge. Centrale security ensured we had a worry free evening and made sure everything ran smoothly for us. We want to thank the security staff and team of cleaners who made everything run so smoothly and I am certain every Brownie present sends their thanks too. We could not have provided such a great event without the enthusiasm of Centrale and their staff.

Meg Passey PR Adviser Croydon County Guiding