Could you survive 10 days in a plane?

“I don’t attempt – I do.”

André van Zijl made that point very clear when he sat down with the Germiston City News to discuss his plans for his latest record attempts.

Van Zijl, who already boasts an impressive number of records, plans to spend 10 days in the Lebombo and to raise funds for charities.

The Lebombo, which can be found at the SAA Museum at Rand Airport, was the first Boeing 747 to arrive in the country.

It arrived in November 1971, so it seems only fitting that the record attempt should fall into the same month.

Van Zijl will enter the plane on Wednesday, November 26, at noon and emerge on Saturday, December 6.

During his stay in the plane he will attempt to host the longest Skype chat.

The chat will be held on Monday, December 1, and interested parties can join in at andreaidsafrica.

As with van Zijl’s previous record attempts, he hopes that his days in the plane will raise not only awareness about the plight of each charity but also much some much needed funds.

The charities represented by van Zijl are the St Francis Care Centre, in Boksburg, and the SAA Orange Tail.

St Francis cares for a number of HIV-positive babies, children and adults, while the SAA Orange Tail focuses on SAA pensioners and helps to support ex-SAA employees.

Van Zijl will also donate a portion of the proceeds of the event to the SAA Museum.

When asked how the community can donate to the various charities, van Zijl explained: “The community can place their donations in the donation boxes which will be set up around the plane and the museum.

“There will also be collection points where the community can drop off donations of children’s and baby clothes, toiletries and non- perishable foods, all of which will go to the St Francis Care Centre.

“Alternatively, the community can visit the websites of each of the charities and donate online.”

Though van Zijl is somewhat of a pro at breaking records, he still needs help and is appealing to the community to get involved in his record attempt.

“I will, for example, need help getting food, as I am not able to leave the plane,” he said.

Anyone interested in lending a helping hand can contact him on 072 206 6355 for more details.

While he is on the plane, flamboyant van Zijl will lead tours, giving visitors a chance to see things they have never seen on a plane before.

“I encourage the community to come through to the museum and get involve however they can,” he said.

To mark the end of his record attempt, the museum will host a “coming out party”, complete with live music and a flea/craft market.

East Rand Stereo will also broadcast live from the event.

The station will add to the record attempts by broadcasting living for 10 hours from inside the same plane van Zijl will call home.

Anyone interested in setting up a stall at the event can send an email to Janine Keizerwaard, at dakota@telkomsa.net.

Van Zijl left the GCN with yet another quote: “Live your life to the fullest and for others, not just yourself.”