Stourbridge man's Friends-a-thon raises £1,500 for studies (From Stourbridge News)

Stourbridge man's Friends-a-thon raises £1,500 for studies

10:08am Wednesday 5th August 2009

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A FRIENDS TV show fanatic from Stourbridge has been trying to rake in cash to fund his theatre studies course by getting sponsored to watch all 236 episodes of the hit US comedy in one sitting.

Steve Misiura - who divides his time between his parent’s home in Bagley Street and his London flat - spent almost 84 hours watching all ten seasons of the award-winning show, which made the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox household names.

In completing the sleep-less feat - the 31-year-old writer, producer and aspiring movie and theatre director believes he has broken the world record for non-stop television watching (the record previously stood at 72 hours).

He has also raised more than £1,500 in sponsorship towards the £7,000 post-graduate advanced theatre practice course - which he hopes to embark upon at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama this autumn.

Among those sponsoring him were esteemed TV and film thespians James Bolam, Wendy Craig and Steven Berkoff.

Steve, a former Halesowen College student, said: “I'm eternally grateful and utterly indebted to those who have sponsored me.

“I started at 6am on July 31 and finished at 5.40pm on August 3. I love Friends, but this did indeed hurt. At around 72 hours I wanted to die.”

Originally warned by his doctor not to undertake the unconventional fundraiser due to risks associated with sleep deprivation, Steve is hopeful it will not have had any lasting effects on him. He is even confident he’ll still be able to watch TV re-runs of his favourite sitcom in the future.

Anyone wishing to give a post-challenge donation towards his course fees can do so online at www.friends-a-thon.com

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