Fifties
Brian McQuade 57
A carer from Glasgow
Carrying the flame through Rutherglen, Glasgow on June 8
Why nominated
‘Since the millennium I’ve done a lot of charity work, but before that my life was a mess. I drank too much; I was homeless. You can’t concentrate on anything if you’re drunk all the time, but I woke up from the stupor and realised I had responsibilities not just to myself, but to my community. I decided to get an education and graduated from Glasgow University in 2003 with an MA in History of Art. ‘I was nominated by GalGael, a charity I’m involved with that works with people with disabilities.’
What lesson has life taught you?
‘Ten years ago, I stood in front of the Olympic flame at the ancient temple of Heraion in Olympia. I never thought I would carry it. But dreams can come true. If you think you can’t do something, think again: you can.’
Anne Roberts 51
Head of operations at the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Lives in London
Carrying the flame through Barnet, London on July 25
Why nominated
‘I was nominated by my colleagues for the work I do. We believe that every child has the right to have their family close by when in hospital, so we provide accommodation nearby.
‘My husband had cancer for several years before I was widowed at the age of 36, leaving me with three children under 10. It taught me a lot about keeping a family together through hospital treatment – I can empathise with the families we support, helping them to stay close when facing a tough time.
‘I also spend quite a lot of time raising money for the charity – I ran the London marathon this year.’
What lesson has life taught you?
‘When your heart is focused on something, never give up.’
Sixties
Derek Mepham 62
Former project manager for BT from Heathfield, East Sussex
Carrying the flame through Pevensey Bay on July 17
Why nominated
‘My wife nominated me for the work I do in the local community, including supporting the Hospice in the Weald near Tunbridge Wells. I’ve raised funds by running ten London marathons and even walking on hot coals. Ten years ago I raced former sprinter Colin Jackson to the top of the BT Tower by the stairs and actually beat him by two minutes. I’ve also raised money for Action on Addiction and for a well in a village in Kenya – in all, about £45,000.
‘It’s an amazing honour to carry the flame. But I may have to run backwards; 300 metres will go by in a flash otherwise.’
What lesson has life taught you?
‘Finding time to help others less fortunate is so worthwhile.’
Marie Kirby 60
A primary school secretary and Eucharistic minister from Londonderry
Carrying the flame through Bready, near Londonderry on June 5
Why nominated
‘At the school where I’ve worked for 36 years I set up a breakfast club as well as clubs for football, rugby, Gaelic, netball, cheerleading, Irish dancing, gymnastics, cookery, drama, homework club, swimming lessons… we’ll try anything.
‘For 12 years I was a carer in the community and have recently been caring for my 89-year-old mother, who broke her hip. I want to thank my daughter for nominating me; she was born with hydrocephalus but has never let it get in her way.’
What lesson has life taught you?
‘Never look too far forward, because you never know what’s going to happen to you. Live for the day, and give all your worries to the angels; they always sort things out for me.’
Seventies
Daphne Edwards 71
Retired IT technician from Box, near Stroud, Gloucestershire
Carrying the flame through Stroud on May 23
Why nominated
‘I’m going to make the most of it. I’m carrying the flame for the village and the cycle club, and I’m going to savour it. My family are all coming to watch.
‘I was nominated by my daughter, who may have been slightly biased. She is proud of the fact that I started cycling at the age of 57 when I retired. I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was a child. Since then I’ve started a cycling club, which has helped some people become part of a group. I’m also on all the little committees in the village.’
What lesson has life taught you?
‘Don’t judge people too quickly, because there are always two sides to every story. And it’s worth remembering that the worse
the experience, the better the story.’
Terry Parker 73
Retired business manager and volunteer tennis coach from Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Carrying the flame through Cirencester on May 23
Why nominated
‘When I was told I had been chosen to carry the flame it came as such a surprise. I thought: “It can’t be me.” I’m absolutely delighted and I’ll be carrying it for all the disabled people I teach to play tennis, from children to grown-ups.
‘I now coach both junior and adult wheelchair tennis players to competition standard, where I currently have a British Champion with MS competing.
‘Having a disability really need not be a barrier to anyone taking part in sport. The people I teach have found that tennis can change their lives.’
What lesson has life taught you?
‘There is always someone around who needs your help.’
Eighties
Christine Carter 85
Former seamstress at Merton College, Oxford
Carrying the flame through Oxford on July 9
Why nominated
‘When I retired in 1987, my husband Nick and I took on volunteer work at Oxsrad Sports and Leisure Centre, encouraging disabled and able sports people to train together. I helped run the boot sales and the café, as well as lending a hand at any other occasion. I also helped at the Oxford Town Hall tea dances, raising funds for the over-seventies at Christmas. All that was most enjoyable, but I didn’t think they would want someone my age to hold an Olympic torch!
‘I do use a walking stick, so I wonder how I’ll manage walking 300 metres. That’s the length of my street, so I probably ought to get in training.’
What lesson has life taught you?
‘Show love and respect to everyone.’
Jim Dowdall MBE 86
Retired carpenter from Southampton who served on the destroyer, HMS Undaunted
Carrying the flame through Southampton on July 14
Why nominated
‘When I was 71 I had a stroke and decided I’d better start going to the gym. Part of my recovery was to have a goal, so I decided to run the London marathon and in 2003 I achieved it. Now I’ve run eight in all and raised £16,000 for the Wessex Cancer Trust and was awarded an MBE. I encourage older people to attend the weekly chair exercise group.
‘I’m very humbled to be carrying the flame because it shows people that you’re never too old to start being healthy and active, or to get involved locally.’
What lesson has life taught you?
‘Life has taught me to make the best of every day. We all get sad sometimes, but try to put that behind you and enjoy life.’
Nineties
Reg Whittaker 91
Worked at Bletchley Park during the war. Lives in Cambridgeshire
Carrying the flame through Huntingdon on July 8
Why nominated
‘My son put me forward. A few years ago, I was awarded a Bletchley Park medal and told my family for the first time about my activities during the war. I trained quite a number of ladies of the Special Operations Executive who were dropped into France behind enemy lines. I knew they were going to almost certain death, but they never showed any fear when they left me.
‘After the war I specialised in teaching disabled children and enjoyed seeing them progress.’
What lesson has life taught you?
‘People with special needs, and people generally, have much more potential than many give them credit for. The more respect you offer them, the more they thrive.’
Thora Beddard 94
Former secretary from Ashton-under-Lyme, Greater Manchester, who also worked for British Telecom
Carrying the flame through Oldham on June 24
Why nominated
‘My son nominated me. I’ve always helped people, had a sense of humour and been a positive-thinking sort of person.
At 50 I leant to swim; aged 60 I discovered yoga; on turning 70, and in search of something more challenging, I discovered abseiling and later modelled lingerie for the older generation on live TV; in my eighties I passed my English GCSE.
‘I visit those in need and raise money for charity by giving speeches. There’s certainly never a dull moment. I reckon it’s time I retired and behaved myself, don’t you?’
What lesson has life taught you?
‘The importance of a sense of humour – and love. I live by having hugs off people. They’re better than all your doctors’ medicine.’
The 2012 Olympic torch
All you need to know...
- The torch, designed by East Londoners Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, is made up of an inner and outer aluminium alloy skin, held in place by a cast top-piece and base. The torch is perforated by 8,000 circles, representing the inspirational stories of the 8,000 torchbearers who will carry the Olympic flame.
- The torch stands 800mm high and weighs 800g
- The flame will travel from Athens on British Airways flight BA2012 in a ceremonial lantern that can burn safely for up to 30 hours
- If the torch goes out for any reason it can be re-lit from the mother flame, which is kept burning in a specially protected lantern
- 8,000 torchbearers will carry the flame to more than 1,000 communities, villages, towns and cities – a distance of 8,000 miles, including linking journeys by car or ferry etc. The Olympic torch will pass through all 33 London boroughs
- Each day, an estimated 110 torchbearers will take part in the relay and the flame will travel 110 miles, including linking journeys
- 300 metres - The average distance that each torchbearer will carry the Olympic flame
- 150 – the maximum number of words that was allowed for each torchbearer’s nomination
- 95% of the UK population will be within 10 miles of the flame
- 70 days – the duration of the relay
To find out when the flame will be in your area, visit london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay