The torch in the UK – an Olympic odyssey begins
This is the first in a series of blogs where you can send us your torch tales, building up a picture of Britain as it responds to 70 days of the Olympic torch odyssey through these islands.
Across the coming 70 days of torch relay it’s true some 700 runners will be celebs and athletes – but that means 7,300 will simply be people chosen because they’ve devoted themselves to their village, town or city – or have overcome the most incredible obstacles.
So it is that in Dundee Ron McIntosh will be one of the torchbearers. He lost both legs after an infection whilst in hospital for a serious kidney illness in 2008. His life was only saved when a donor was finally found for a kidney transplant.
But he is a lifelong member of Hawkhill Harriers athletic club and has gone back to competitive athletics in the form of Race Walking, he has never stopped fighting for publicity for organ donation, and these efforts have been rewarded as Ron has been nominated to carry the Olympic torch.
Mr McIntosh says: “It seems sad that people go out of this life with perfectly good organs that could be used to transplant other people and give other people a new lease of life. You cannot get any better than a second chance of life. That’s what I got, a second chance of life – not many people get that.”
At the other end of Britain many are simply using the passing of the torch as an excuse for a festival.
So Brands Hatch in Kent is staging an Olympic festival on 14 July. Among many non-Bastille-centred events you can catch Daniel Cutting, the extreme freestyle soccer skills champion and Guinness world record holder for ‘keepy uppy’.
The Olympic festival event is being held as part of the Diocese of Rochester’s response to the celebration and arrival of the Olympic Games.
Scoot northwest to Blackpool and you can catch Sgt Rick Clement carrying the torch. He was maimed in Afghanistan and is campaigning for rights for servicemen to freeze sperm samples before going off to war. His friend said simply:
“He’s a hero.”
Or how about the fireman going against all his training by keeping the torch alight as he carries it?
And Britain’s oldest full-time serving fireman at that.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s Malcolm Styles will keep the flame burning as he carries the torch on 17 July in Felbridge, Surrey.
The 63-year-old, has been a firefighter for 34 years and is currently based at Surrey’s fire HQ in Reigate.
He said: “Being selected was a surprise as I had no idea my partner had nominated me. I feel very proud, it’s a real honour.”
After losing his wife to cancer in 1997 he raised £40,000 for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity through a sports memorabilia auction and other fundraising events.
Channel 4 News is meanwhile promised breakfast by the good people of Chester, on 30 May where a flotilla of river users will trigger the torching there, that morning.
A shout-out now for shinty fans on Lewis and beyond!
One of the main stars of new shinty series, on BBC Gaelic TV, Caman, has been selected to carry the torch in the Western Isles. David Macpherson who plays for Inveraray said he was ‘chuffed to bits’ to have been chosen.
David, 32, who works as a fitness instructor at Strathclyde University in Glasgow was diagnosed with testicular cancer last year. He has fought his way back to health and has earned a first team place with Inveraray.
David was nominated by his workmates at Strathclyde University who thought the way he dealt with his illness was inspiring.
David will carry the Olympic flame from Stornoway to Aberdeen on 11 June . Which is impressive considering The Minch is in the way – but I’m sure a CalMac ferry or some other doughty vessel will be made available.
What a start from yous! Shinty, keepy uppy, flotillas, firemen…conquering cancer…campaigning for everything from organ donors to freezing semen and I know not what else. What islands are these! What spirit! What energy!
Keep ’em coming and I’ll big ’em up and shout ’em out. If the Olympian spirit is anything surely it is this.
To be continued – with your help and inspiration!
Contact and follow Alex Thomoson on Twitter: @alextomo