大象传媒

On Sunday the 19th of January, Arsenal Whittick (62) attempted to break the record for most hugs in a minute at the Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole.

Arsenal was diagnosed with autism at the age of 49, and one aspect of his autism is that he found it very difficult to hug people. It was his family which persuaded him to try it out, as he wanted to be physically present for his two daughters.

At the 'hug-athon', Arsenal hugged 91 people.

Content warning: this interview contains reference to taking one's own life.