Billy is currently fighting stage 4 cancer, but that didn’t stop him and his team from successfully breaking a Guinness World Record and raising over R120,000 for PinkDrive and Sungardens Hospice.
Pretoria, South Africa (18 December 2025) – Billy Cowley, ‘the marmite man’, has just broken yet another Guinness World Record! He and his team of ribbon-stickers have raised more than R120,000 for South Africans living with cancer while doing it.
Earlier this month, Billy and his team attempted the world record for the most awareness ribbons stuck onto a single car. The previous record stood at 5637. By the end of the day, their car was covered in more than 7200 ribbons, beating the record by more than 1000.
It’s a fantastic feat that adds to Billy’s growing list of record attempts, but its impact is even bigger.
“It was more important to me to raise funds than to break the record,” Billy shares. “Going through cancer isn’t a fun thing and by helping others to make it more bearable was more important than the record itself.”
Each ribbon was sponsored by supporters for R30 and dedicated to someone whose life has been touched by cancer.
Billy was joined by Babette LaBüschagne, actress Anél Alexander, and nine-year-old cancer survivor Katie Hayes. Together, the four of them worked from 08:00 until just before 17:00, carefully placing ribbons one by one onto a single car.
Support poured in throughout the day. So many people arrived wanting to take part that the team eventually ran out of ribbons!
“We had so many people coming on the day to support us. We eventually ran out of cancer ribbons for people to write their names and loved ones names on. We didn’t expect so much support. But seeing everyone coming made me more determined to beat the record.” shares Billy.
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In the end, the car carried thousands of names, stories and tributes, and the final tally raised more than R120,000 for cancer support organisations.
How incredible?
“This attempt meant a lot, not only because I really wanted to break another record but because I am currently grappling with cancer. I wanted to raise funds with this so I can help others going through the same sickness. My mind is strong but others are struggling. I want to make life better for them.” shares Billy.
The campaign remains open, with all funds continuing to go directly to PinkDrive and Sungardens Hospice. Billy has also confirmed that another Guinness World Record attempt is already in the works for next year!
If you would like to support Billy’s cause, you can find out how to donate here.
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