A police siren sounded as 55 couples locked lips in Kiama on Sunday in a world record attempt for the ‘‘Kiss Goodbye to MS’’ campaign to find a cure for multiple sclerosis.
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Although they fell well-short of Brazil’s record 8372 couples kissing simultaneously for one-minute, the event raised much-needed funds and awareness for MS Research Australia.
The brain-child of Minnamurra Lions Club’s Ken Magnus, the big kiss was the main event of the region’s inaugural Autumn Festival.
‘‘The aim was to raise funds for MS and we’ve tried to use the record as a sales pitch,’’ he said.
‘‘I have another trick for next year, but that’s a secret.’’
Couples angled their heads and brushed their lips together to the backdrop of a colourful festival dotted by rides, stalls, entertainment, food and a vintage car show.
About $1500 was raised for MS research at the Black Beach event.
Campaign coordinator Joanne Hunter said festival-goers had donated generously.
The 26-year-old kissed her boyfriend of six years, Evan Scott, during the record attempt.
‘‘Confidence makes a good kisser, and eyes closed,’’ she said.
‘‘But for this I think I’m going to be laughing with my eyes opened.’’
MS Research Australia events manager Mandy Lee said there was still no cure for MS, which was the most common neurological disease for youth.
MS affected 23,000 Australians and the average age of diagnosis was 30 years-of-age.
