Images from the event at Stoke Mandeville will be available here from 8pm
The Paralympic Flame will be carried a total of 92 miles through 24 communities by 116 teams of five people to lead the UK into the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games as the cauldron is lit tomorrow night at the Opening Ceremony. The Paralympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners - BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s – each ran public nomination campaigns to find teams of people to take part from right across the UK who demonstrate the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.
Images from the 24-hour Relay will be available throughout the event from here
At about 7.45pm this evening the national flames, lit by groups of young disabled and non-disabled Scouts on Wednesday 22 August on the four highest mountain peaks in Scotland (Ben Nevis), Wales (Snowdon), England (Scafell Pike) and Northern Ireland (Slieve Donard) will be carried into the Stoke Mandeville Stadium by Torchbearers, four of whom will unite the Flames in a celebration cauldron to create the Paralympic Flame. Ahead of today’s event, each of the national Flames spent time in its respective capital city – London, Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff - visiting hospitals, local youth groups, arts and sports centres before being taken to Stoke Mandeville.
Evening Flame Festivals attended by thousands of people were held in each city and 36 communities from across the UK also took the opportunity to collect their Flame in a miner’s lantern and take it to associated Flame Celebration’s over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
At the event during over 150 local residents, many of them young people, will take part in a lantern procession and form a guard of honour for the eight Torchbearers. During the event Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Sir Philip Craven, Chair of the International Paralympic Committee and Eva Loeffler, the daughter of Dr Ludwig Guttman - the founding father of the Stoke Mandeville Games - will all pay tribute to the role the Stoke Mandeville Games had in defining the modern Paralympic Movement.
The Torchbearers helping to create the Paralympic Flame at the ceremony in Stoke Mandeville Stadium this evening are:
Katie Piper and Paralympian Tony Griffin both nominated by LOCOG will carry the English Flame into the stadium. Katie was nominated for her work setting up the Katie Piper Foundation and raising awareness of burns survivors after a suffering major injuries having been attacked with sulphuric acid by her ex-boyfriend. Tony is being recognised for his medal successes in throwing disciplines. In his 10-year career he won a total of 38 medals. He is also recognised for his work as Bolton’s Sports Ambassador to promote disabled sport.
Talented young boxer Jon Jo Look and Noel McShane, nominated through the Lloyds TSB campaign will carry the Scotland Flame into the stadium. Jon Jo is being recognised for learning to walk again using a prosthetic leg, for turning his talent to coaching others and his success as a Boxing Coach in Dorchester. Noel is be honoured for his work to establish the National Wheelchair Tennis Association of Great Britain and the British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships.
Darren Ferguson and Joseph Morris, nominated through Sainsbury’s will carry the Northern Ireland Flame into the stadium. Darren is a Special Constable working for Dorset Police who in 2010 talked a distressed man who wanted to take his own life down from a bridge and Joseph showed great bravery by saving a young girl from drowning in a river.
Julie Gilbert and Marsha Wiseman, nominated through BT, will carry the Wales Flame into the stadium. They are part of a team who are champion disabled employees within BT.
The first team of Torchbearers to depart from Stoke Mandeville Stadium on the 24-hour Relay were chosen by the International Paralympic Committee and are all Paralympians:
Sir Philip Craven – IPC President who took part in five Paralympic Games between 1972 and 1988 mainly in wheelchair basketball, however in 1972 he also took part in swimming. He was elected IPC President in 2001 and is currently serving his third term.
1960 Rome – Baroness Susan Masham. The 77-year-old represented Great Britain at the first two Paralympic Games in the sports of swimming and table tennis. In Rome she won a gold and silver medal in the pool and took a bronze in the women’s doubles in table tennis. Four years later in Tokyo she claimed three silvers in swimming, won doubles gold in table tennis and also took a silver in the singles.
1964 Tokyo – Caz Walton. Caz had an involvement in each Paralympic Games since 1964, first as an athlete until 1992, then as team manager of the wheelchair fencing team in 1996 and 2000. In 2004 she was Administrator of the entire British team and in 2008 was again team manager of the wheelchair fencing Team. In eight Paralympic Games she won an incredible 17 medals, including 10 golds. She is best known as a fencer but also won medals in athletics, wheelchair basketball, swimming and table tennis.
1968 Tel Aviv – Sally Haynes. Sally took part in the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960 and went on to compete at a further three Games. At the Tel Aviv Games, she won gold in the Epee discipline of wheelchair fencing, both in the individual and Team events. She also won gold in the 1972 Games, this time with the table tennis team. She retired from competition after the 1972 Games and was awarded an MBE in 1988.
1972 Heidelberg – Jane Blackburn. Jane took part in a total of five Paralympic Games between 1972 and 1992 participating in archery, athletics, lawn bowls, swimming and table tennis. In her first Games in 1972 she won a silver and bronze in archery and gold and silver in table tennis. By the time she retired after the Barcelona Games she had won 11 Paralympic medals including five golds.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: ‘The creation of the Paralympic Flame marks the start of a 24-hour unique Relay which will see teams of Torchbearers work through the night to light the way to a fantastic Paralympic Games. Each and every one of them has achieved something remarkable and they all demonstrate the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.’
Sir Philip Craven, International Paralympic Committee, President, said: ‘It is fitting that the four national flames are brought together to create the Paralympic Flame at Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement.The Torch Relay will further raise awareness levels of the Paralympic Games to new levels, whilst also recognizing and celebrating the roots and history of the Paralympic Movement.’
Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, said: ‘The Paralympic Games have come home to Britain – and it will be the biggest Games yet, with more athletes, more countries and more spectators than ever before. The talent, commitment and inspiration of the Torchbearers, and ParalympicsGB, reminds us all what can be achieved when we focus on what people can do, rather than what they can’t. I know the whole country will be backing ParalympicsGB throughout the next 10 days of world-class sport.’
Martin McElhatton, Chief Executive of WheelPower who manage Stoke Mandeville Stadium, said: ‘WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport and owners of Stoke Mandeville Stadium, a venue steeped in Paralympic history and heritage are proud to be welcoming the world for the Paralympic Flame Lighting Ceremony.’
Buckinghamshire County Council Chief Executive, Chris Williams, said: ‘This is a proud moment for Buckinghamshire as a host county. We’re delighted so many will have the opportunity to honour our Paralympians. It’s a fitting tribute to Sir Ludwig Guttmann’s pioneering work, and to the courage and determination of generations of sports men and women.’
Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council, said: ‘The celebrations will give the whole family a chance to share the excitement of the Paralympic Games as the world counts down to the official opening ceremony in London. It is a unique opportunity for the town to put on a show that we will all remember on what is a very special occasion.’
Highlights of the Relay route into and around London include:
8.18pm – A team of Torchbearers nominated through the Lloyds TSB campaign will carry the Paralympic Flame to the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville
The team are: Ian Preece, 33, from Telford. He was nominated for his expertise, commitment and passion to coach and enable adults of all ages to reach their full potential at Club 2000 in Telford for the past 15 years. Philip Tew, 37, from Aylesbury. He is a keen wheelchair basketball and badminton player who has represented Great Britain. He was nominated for being an inspiration to others through his coaching of aspiring athletes. Sue Wolstenholme, 71, from Berkhamsted. She was nominated for working tirelessly to increase opportunities in and raise the profile of disability tennis during her time as Director of the Lawn Tennis Association. From overseeing two annual world ranked wheelchair tennis events and two World Team Cups, to being Wheelchair Tennis Performance Director and working with UK Sport, British wheelchair tennis was at the heart of Sue’s work. William Cox, 68, from Woodbridge. He was nominated for his hard work in developing the Framlingham Flyers running club in Suffolk from a number of enthusiastic members to an ever growing club now exceeding 70 adult members. Louise Bush, 21, from Norwich who was nominated for her dedication to competing in and coaching youngsters in swimming despite suffering from arthritis.
9.08pm – A team of Torchbearers led by Alan Pascoe who were nominated through the BT campaign will carry the Paralympic Flame onto the stage at the Aylesbury Flame Celebration in the Market Square to mark their contribution to the development of Paralympic sport.
Wednesday 29 August
6.25am – A team of Torchbearers will carry the Paralympic Flame to the Shree Swaminaryan Mandir Temple in Brent. The team are: Antony Eames, 32, from Wokingham. He was nominated for his courage and determination in overcoming the many challenges that he faced after being diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome (Sudden Death Syndrome). Thanks to the medical support today, he can live a full and energetic life focusing on achieving personal goals. Barrie Guy, 46, from Chalfont St Peter. He was nominated for his work with children and adults with under privileged backgrounds and various abilities and disabilities. Usman Aurakzai, 28, from Yately. He was nominated for his courage in overcoming corneal grafting surgery, which left him unable to focus with both eyes, to start playing sport, complete a masters degree and embark on a career. Simon Schofield, 42, from London. He was nominated for his work in the deaf community to ensure that his parents and other people like them get the accessibility rights that they deserve. Rohit Ali, 30, from Bracknell. He was nominated for the way that he managed to quit smoking in 2010 and embark on a healthier lifestyle which now sees him competing in half marathons.
8.47am - A team of Torchbearers nominated through the Sainsbury’s campaign will carry the Paralympic Flame across the famous Abbey Road crossing. The team are: Chris Tattersall, 59-years-old, from Clitheroe. He was registered blind in 1993 but then went on to learn brail and now teaches it voluntarily at five centres across East Lancashire. Graham Helm, 38, from Lancashire. He was registered blind four years ago and took great strength from working with young people, in particular the large brass band which he conducts twice a week and in over 40 concerts a year. He is a role model demonstrating that disability is not a barrier to achieving ones goals. Kenneth Maidens, 81, from Blackburn. He was nominated for his outstanding work in the disabled community. Lucy Priest, 39, from Lancashire. She worked as a nurse until she was registered blind in 2001. She managed to overcome this life changing moment and went on to train as a counsellor. She has since got married and had a son, proving to people that despite a disability, a happy and successful life is possible. Ketaki Vaidya, 29, from Blackburn. He is visually impaired and works as a Rehabilitation Officer for visually impaired people and he takes inspiration from their life stories to help him overcome the challenges that he faces in his own life.
9.02am - A team of Torchbearers nominated through the BT campaign who compete in the UK’s first blind women’s cricket team, who have been inspired to be more confident and ambitious will carry the Paralympic Flame at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The team are: Diane Marks, 39, from Hove; Ramona Williams, 28, from London; Theresa Robberts, 37, from London; Sarah Clare, 21, from London and Danielle Garratt, 19, from Brighton
9.37am – A team of Torchbearers nominated through the BT campaign will carry the Paralympic Flame at ZSL London Zoo. The team is made up of five previously unemployed individuals with disabilities including spinal cord injury, blindness and impaired mental health that have trained and qualified as fitness gym instructors.are: Adam Hollick, 23, from Rainham; John Craig, 22, from London; Fiona Forsyth, 50, from Luton; Charlie Humphrys, 22, from Wrexham; Aruna Mahtani, 50, from London
10.49am – A team of Torchbearers nominated through the Lloyds TSB campaign will carry the Paralympic Flame through Piccadilly Circus. The team are: Pamela Galloway, 62-years-old, from Somerset. She was nominated for the time and dedication that she gives to teaching young disabled children how to swim. Marilyn Gregson, 64-years-old, from Lancashire. She was nominated for her hard work in running the Preston Panther’s Disability Multi-Sports Club over the past 11 years. Samantha Jones, 20-years-old, from Warrington. She is running in honour of her coach Dave Connor, who sadly passed away, after he inspired her to develop a wheelchair basketball club in the local community.Carrie Reynolds, 32-years-old, from West Sussex. She was nominated for being a true inspiration for her contribution to disability sport in Sussex. Ros Cramp, 37-years-old, from Bedfordshire. She was nominated for her contribution to disability sport in Hertfordshire through her role as School Games Coordinator for the North Herts School Sports Partnership.
10.51am – A team of Torchbearers nominated by the International Paralympic Committee will carry the Paralympic Flame through Trafalgar Square. The team are: Tanni-Grey Thompson. Winner of 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 gold and is considered to be one of the most successful disabled athletes in the UK. She was made a life peer in 2010 and campaigns for disability rights. She will be commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live during the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Michael Watson. Michael was a professional boxer until 1993 when he was left with a brain injury after boxing Chris Eubank. Despite not being expected to live he went onto learn to walk, talk and to use his limbs again and successfully completed the London Marathon in 6 days in 2003. He now devotes his time to charity work and inspirational speaking. Egidijus Bartkus, 34, from Banbury. He was nominated for his work running basketball and badminton clubs, as well as coaching archery to aspiring athletes.
Chris Holmes. Chris is Britain’s most successful individual Paralympic swimmer ever. He lost his sight at the aged of 14 but went on to gain straight A’s at A-level and a place at Cambridge University to read politics. While still at University Chris won six gold medals at the Barcelona Games in 1992. He went on to compete in Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000 winning a further three gold medals.
11.04am – A team of Torchbearers from Walking with the Wounded, nominated by Prince Harry, will carry the Paralympic Flame down Whitehall. The team are: Harry Parker, 29, from London; Felix Daglish, from London; Simon Daglish, 46, from London; Edward Parker, 46, from Norwich; David Wiseman, 29, from North Yorkshire. Walking With The Wounded raises awareness and inspires those who face an uncertain future following being injured while serving with our Armed Forces on operations. Through their expeditions to extreme places, WWTW shows people that despite life changing injury, both physical and cognitive, new challenges can be faced, and overcome.
11.14am – A team from Torchbearers from Chelsea FC’s pan-disability squad, nominated by Sebastian Coe through the Lloyds TSB public nomination campaign, will carry the Paralympic Flame to Westminster Abbey. The team are Matthew Slough, 22, from Tadley. He was nominated for the fast that despite undergoing several, life-changing operations, including a heart bypass, Matt still displays high spirits and enthusiasm both on and off the pitch. Combine that attitude with extreme determination and Matt has a huge desire to make a difference in the world of disability football. Samieh El-Kashef, 33, from Hounslow. After playing Cerebral Palsy football during his education, he is forever grateful to the coaches who gave him confidence and developed the personality that he is today. He is the captain a role model leader and a fantastic ambassador. Gareth Canning, 25, from Surrey. He was nominated for the way that he has showcased his fantastic attitude self-sufficiency independence and winning mentality when he completed his university degree with honours while in full-time long-term employment. Leading by example he has demonstrated the same strength of character & commitment in his sporting life & has been appointed vice-captain in all squads he’s part of. Robert Seale, 29, from Surrey. He was nominated for the way he consistently inspires people to do things they never thought possible and impresses parents with how he inspires their disabled children to play football for the first time. Many children arrive at his training sessions lacking in confidence but he changes this and ensures self-belief is instilled into every individual with his ‘can do’ attitude. Jay Beckford, 32, from Southwark. He was nominated for the way he has excelled at pan-disability levels of football, including outstanding performances against fully-mobile, learning-disabled squads.
1.12pm – A team of Torchbearers nominated through the Lloyds TSB campaign will carry the Paralympic Flame over Tower Bridge.
The team are: David Walkerdine, 74-years-old, from Nottingham. He was nominated by Paralympian Richard Whitehead, for his inspirational coaching sessions that had such a positive influence in helping become the athlete that he is today. Matthew Walker, 34, from Stockport. He is a member of the Paralympic swim team. He has already won medals at the Sydney, Athens, and Beijing and medals at all major championships (European and World) since 1998. He takes time to speak to the parents of children with disabilities and regularly attends disability galas not to compete but simply to encourage young athletes. His message to all is `anything is possible if you try hard enough`. David Roberts, 32, from Cardiff. He was nominated for being an inspiration to others through his successful swimming career which has included winning medals at three consecutive Paralympic Games and holding a number of world records. Helene Raynsford, 32, from Woodley. After an education at the Royal Ballet School, a brain injury left Helene a wheelchair user. Determined to stay active, Helene trained in Swimming, Athletics, and was in the GB teams for Wheelchair Basketball and Adaptive Rowing. She has silver medals in wheelchair basketball at 2 Paralympic World Cups and was Gold medallist at the Rowing World Championships and Beijing Paralympics. Alison Nagata, 33, from Stratford. She was nominated by her sister for how she overcame serious illness to qualify as a physiotherapist. She has since dedicated her time to helping injured sports people.
1.22pm – A team of Torchbearers nominated by the International Paralympic Committee will carry the Paralympic Flame to City Hall. The team are: Jan Wilson, 57, from London. She competed in the 1980, 1984 and 1988 Summer Paralympic Games as a swimmer winning 1 gold, 6 silver and 5 bronze medals. Since retirement she has served as Chef de Mission for the United States Winter Paralympic Team in Lillehammer, Norway and worked for the Salt Lake and Torino Organizing Committees for the 2002 and 2006 Winter Paralympic Games. William Noble, 47, from Fife. He competed in five Paralympic Games from 1984-2000 and won a medal at each of them. In total he won 15 medals, including four gold’s, in his Paralympic career, and he will be commentating for Channel 4 at the Aquatics Centre at London 2012. Esther Weber, 44, from Germany. She is a former Paralympian Wheelchair Fencing who won a gold medal at the Paralympic Games in Barcelona in 1992 and has since then won 10 Paralympic Medals at the Paralympic Games between 1992 and 2004. Furthermore she holds several titles in European and World Championships. She has won several awards for her lifetime achievements and is member of the International Fair Play Committee. Jim Muirhead, 58, from London. Jim is a swimmer who competed at three Paralympic Games winning 13 medals, including five golds. He was recently selected for the hall of fame in Scotland for his achievements. Francesca Porcellato, 41, from Italy. Francesca has been a paraplegic from the age of 18 months old and her dream was always to run fast. She has participated in 6 Paralympic Summer Games in athletics, winning 10 medals including two gold. She has also participated in two Paralympic Winter Games, winning one gold medal in the 1km sprint in Vancouver 2010.
6.20pm – A team of Torchbearers nominated through the Lloyds TSB campaign will carry the Paralympic Flame to Hackney Town Hall. The team are: Meggan Dawson Farrell, 19, from Clackmannanshire. She is a talented wheelchair athlete who has made significant progress in the world of athletics having now firmly established herself as an integral member of the Scottish Athletics Squad and one of Scotland’s leading female wheelchair athletes. This has been a breakthrough season for the youngster who was invited by UK Athletics to compete at the Welsh Athletics Championships where she recorded a number of impressive performances. Pam Gallant, 67, from Aberdeen. She was nominated for her contribution to disability sport in Aberdeen over the past 20 years. She devotes around eight hours a week to coaching and volunteering at boccia, bowls and swimming clubs. Having acquired a disability herself, Pam now competes as a visually impaired bowler and does so with great sportsmanship and determination. Karen Lewis-Archer, 37, from Whickham. She is a Paralympian and world class performer in the sport of wheelchair racing, whom after completing both an undergraduate degree in Leisure Management and a Master of Science Degree in Sports Management went on to have a very successful career in sports management and development. Aileen Neilson, 41, from Lanarkshire. She is an inspirational Wheelchair Curler, who has led the Scottish Wheelchair Curling Team to many successes including a silver medal in the 2011 World Wheelchair Championships. Alan Oliver, 25, from Clackmannanshire. Alan has represented Scotland in badminton for athletes with a disability.
7.30pm – A team of Torchbearers nominated through the BT campaign will carry the Paralympic Flame into the Community Celebration in Leyton Jubilee Park, Waltham Forest.
The team are: John Doherty – 40-years-old – Loughton, Katie Doherty – 33-years-old – Loughton, Jason Dodd – 28-years-old – London, Ashleigh Cooper – 28-years-old – Bishops Stortford and David Ede – 31-years-old – Radlett. The team of five are PE teachers at Davenant Foundation School and were nominated for their dedication to teaching Paralympic sports which resulted in a Boccia team coming 3rd at the National Boccia Championships last year.
9.57pm – A team of Torchbearers nominated through the Sainsbury’s campaign will carry the Paralympic Flame into the Community Live Site at Stratford Park, Newham. The team are
Argyle Bird, 13-years-old, from Hull. He has not let his disability get in the way of him taking part in sport and has been selected as a role model to others at his school. John Batchelor, 73, York. He has cerebral palsy and is a paraplegic, but despite that, he has always been determined to succeed at sport. He swims, plays boccia and does archery. He also loves to do wheelchair runs and help raise money for charity. Katherine Biggin, 32, from Midlothian. She was nominated for her work with Disability Snow Sport Scotland. She has been a member for almost ten years enjoying the many challenges, hard work and interesting opportunities as coordinator of the Edinburgh group slope activities, including qualifying as an adaptive ski instructor. Greegan Clarkson, 30, from Hull. Since 1999 he has competed for Great Britain in a minority sport called Biathe. During this time I have won the world championships twice in 2006 and 2008. In the last 13 years I have represented my country at 11 world championships as well as at other international Biathe events. Caroline Baird, 38, from Carnoustie. She won gold medals at three Paralympic Games and now works with people with learning difficulties. In 2001 she was awarded the MBE.
Suzi Williams, Director, BT Group Marketing and Brand, added: ‘At BT we understand the power of Paralympic sport to inspire people, that's why we've brought teams together to run with the Paralympic Torch. This is their moment to be at the heart of a once in a lifetime experience.’
Sally Hancock, Director, London 2012 Partnership at Lloyds Banking Group, said: ‘We are looking forward to the four National Flames uniting at Stoke Mandeville to form the Paralympic Flame and being the 24 hour relay. Lloyds TSB will be bringing the excitement of the Paralympic Games to the Stoke Mandeville Flame Festival and to communities along the 24 hour Paralympic Torch Relay route to London. We are immensely proud of our inspirational Torchbearers and are calling on everyone to come and line the 24 hour Relay route with us to cheer on our Paralympic Torchbearers as they make their way to London in this unique relay.’
Jat Sahota, Head of Sponsorship, Sainsbury’s commented: ‘As proud partners of the Paralympic Torch Relay and the Flame Festivals, we have already taken the Torch into Sainsbury’s stores right across the country. We now look forward to sharing this once in a lifetime experience with our Sainsbury’s customers, colleagues and Torchbearers as the National Flames begin their journey to the Olympic Stadium.’
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