FOR most mere mortals, keeping a hoop rotating around their midriff more than once or twice would prove tricky.

But not so for professional ‘hula hooper’ Amanda Moore, who will attempt to spin a hoop non-stop for 80 hours in a bid to smash the current world record.

The 46-year-old from Sudbury initially took up the activity as a way of getting fit after she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2001.

Since then, she has become so hooked on hooping that she has given up a high-flying corporate career to become a full-time performer and instructor in the sport.

She has also set up a new charity – Hooping 4 Kids – which aims to help tackle childhood obesity by providing free hoops and tuition for eight to 16-year-olds via schools and community groups.

Ms Moore decided to go for the world record attempt – which currently stands at 74 hours and 54 minutes or nearly three-and-a-half days of non-stop hooping – to raise awareness of the activity and as a fundraising exercise for the charity.

Under world record attempt rules, and to reach her target of 80 hours, she will hoop throughout the day and night and will only be permitted five-minute comfort breaks after every two hours of hooping, and 15 minutes after every six hours.

Ms Moore said: “I’m confident my training regime will give me the stamina to go the distance. But my biggest challenges are not endurance related; they’re being able to cope with the sleep deprivation and overcoming the boredom.

“I have to keep the hoop revolving around my torso at all times to comply with the world record rules and that will quickly become boring because the real joy of hooping is moving the hoop all over the body.”

To help keep her motivated throughout the gruelling challenge, Ms Moore is inviting companies and organisations to send volunteers to hoop with her for short stints.

She added: “Hooping burns a whopping 600 calories an hour, tones all the major muscle groups, gives a great cardio-vascular workout and improves flexibility, posture and motor skills. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was warned the disease would almost certainly take my life within 18 months. Doctors have attributed my survival to my fitness and that is why I have dedicated my life to helping others get in good shape with a fun activity they can do at home.”

The challenge is scheduled to take place from 10am on June 4 and will run until 10pm the following Friday.

Anyone interested in taking part in the challenge or providing sponsorship can get details at www.hoopahula.com