Simon hooked on removing 60 bras a minute . . one-handed

FOR many men it is one of the more daunting features of a woman's wardrobe.

But instead of shying away from the tricky business of unhooking bras, an Edinburgh property manager is going to tackle as many as he can in one minute to raise money for charity.

And as if that wasn't difficult enough, he'll have to do it all one-handed.

Simon Keane, 27, from Viewforth, will put his unusual talent to the test to get his name in the record books and raise funds for breast cancer research. He is confident of beating the world record for the task, which stands at 42.

Friend Robyn Keystone, 24, who lives on the Grassmarket, is organising the event in the Finnegan's Wake pub on Victoria Street on October 31.

Simon said: "It's something I've always known I could do. Then I read an article about the world record and thought, I could do that. I talked about it with some friends, and they all thought it was a bit of a laugh.

"I thought some people might be a bit disturbed by it, but they think it's for a good cause.

"I thought it would be really appropriate to raise money for breast cancer. Most people know someone who's been affected by the disease. It's something I'm really keen to support, as my aunt died of it a few years ago."

Simon said one difficulty was practising his skills in the run-up to the event.

"I've got a group of people who are letting me practice, although it might be hard to get enough women together before the event. I think I should do it.

"I think one per second is quite achievable."

Robyn has taken charge of finding 60 volunteers who are willing to have their bra snapped off in an instant.

She said: "We've got a good few of our friends who are willing to do it but to get 60 we've been approaching people at random on the street and once we've explained what it's all about they've been really positive and willing to help out.

"Everyone knows someone who's been affected in some way by breast cancer and when we were talking of ways to do something to raise money this seemed like the best way to do it. It seems to be Simon's speciality, and at first he was pretty confident, but as the event becomes more official and we get closer to the date he's getting a bit nervous.

"I really hope people see it for what it is and react well to it – it's a bit of fun."

Along with fellow students Sabina Ahmadov, 22, and Leah Robinson, 25, Robyn has made contact with the Guinness Book of World Records about the event and they said they may send an adjudicator to the event.

They have timed it to coincide with the last official day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and are hoping to get an underwear shop to sponsor them by supplying 60 pink bras for the event.