Arsenal Whittick, a 62-year-old man from Poole, has made a heartwarming attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most hugs given in 60 seconds — all in a bid to promote awareness and understanding of autism spectrum disorder.
Taking place at The Dolphin Shopping Centre on Sunday, the event saw scores of volunteers line up to embrace Arsenal in rapid succession, cheering him on as he powered through the challenge with warmth and determination.
For Arsenal, who lives with autism, the attempt carried deep personal meaning.
“I used to struggle to show affection to my daughters,” he said. “But over time, I overcame that. This was my way of showing how far I’ve come — and to help others understand autism better.”
The attempt is currently awaiting official verification by Guinness World Records, but the emotional impact was already clear to all who witnessed the joyful display.
Arsenal’s journey from emotional difficulty to public affection has touched many hearts — proving that change, growth, and connection are always possible.
