Rotarians and RIBI Young Citizen Award winners are among those lucky few who will be carrying the London Olympic Torch.
Mike Thorn, Rotary Club of Cheam, is carrying the legendary flame through Kent in July: “I was buzzing after getting the nomination. Everyone is really proud, even my British Airways colleagues over in the US. My family are really proud. Everyone has been so positive and saying that will come and see my run.
“It’s an opportunity to be part of history. We still talk about bearers from 1948. It’s priceless, and it doesn’t get much better than this without running in the Olympics. It’s the nearest I will be to running in Olympics.”
Hannah Jones and Cameron Foster, RIBI Young Citizen Award winners, are both holding the flame aloft to inspire others. Hannah, from Chester and aged just 19, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the young age of 15. Since then, she has raised thousands of pounds and increased awareness of brain tumour research. Cameron broke his legs and arms after falling from a ski lift when he was a child. He made a full recovery but had to spend many weeks in a wheelchair, unable to do anything. He has since devoted his life to help youngsters with disabilities to be involved with sport.
Ken Logan, pictured, a member of the Rotary Club of Braids in Scotland, is running with the torch on the 14th of June. Ken has helped with the administration of the Edinburgh Direct Aid charity where he has been involved in fundraising, sorting, collecting and delivering aid to Bosnia on eight separate occasions. His achievements are many, including raising over £10,000 by running marathons and long-distance swimming so the 300 metre Olympic Torch jog will be no problem at all.
RIBI President Burman said: “Everyone involved with the Olympic Torch are truly amazing people. To have so many carrying the torch who are involved with Rotary really shows how active and valued Rotary is in the community.
“I wish everyone the best of luck on their runs and I urge all Rotarians to go to their nearest torch run and yell encouragement to everyone taking part. Rotary is for communities and to have the torch passing through communities is a very special moment and a once in a lifetime experience.”
