Meet Our Young Torch Bearers

You must be one of the youngest torch bearers in Eastbourne Lauren, how old are you?

I’m 15 years old, still at the Angmering School in Year 10, but nearly in Year 11.

So tell us about your reaction when you found out you had been selected to carry the Olympic Torch, I bet you’ve got some very jealous friends at the moment?

I never thought that I would end up carrying the torch, so when I found out I was so shocked and so excited. I am really into sport and looking forward to the Olympics, it’s such an exciting year and to be apart of it is even better. I can’t wait for my day to run and to be part of the 8,000 inspiring people. All my friends are really supportive and coming up on the day to watch! 

Tell us about your passion for sports?
Sport is brilliant, as much as I enjoy school and my other subjects; PE has to be the best! My achievements in sport are being captain for Worthing rugby club and then getting into Sussex and then getting trials for South of England, but unfortunately I didn't get in. I am really into outdoor sports like kayaking and adventure activities as I was part of the scouts and was very involved until I was too old and then volunteered at the local beavers club for over a year. I play all sports at my school and am always willing to do after school fixtures. If my teachers need help in sports leading then I always help out. I won sports personality of the year for 2011/12 and can’t wait for when I leave school to help younger children get more involved with sport. I play basketball, athletics, stool ball, rounders, rugby and netball. I am really enthusiastic about PE and was able to take my GCSE a year early and got an A - which means next year I can work on teaching skills, if I ever want to go down that route.

I guess you won’t need to do much preparation for the big day, as you do a lot of sports. Are you nervous about it?

I’m really nervous, but I’m more excited to be able to celebrate sport, see everyone there and have all my family and friends around me.

Tell us about your nomination for a bravery award for saving someone’s life, what happened?

Yes, I got nominated for a bravery award at the Windmill Theatre. It was just a natural instinct really, I saw I woman was distressed and she was trying to drown herself, so I knew that it was important for me to help her out. So I swam out and helped her back to land. It was quite deep but I knew that I’m a pretty good swimmer and she was more important at the time. I would of done it if it was anyone, I’m always willing to help and it was horrible seeing someone so upset and wanting to end there life.

What are your plans for the future?

Well I originally wanted to be a PE teacher but now I really want to be part of the police force - helping out people and making the streets safer. If I don't get into the police I would be very disappointed, but then I would go into teaching. Recently I did my work experience at the Orchards Middle School in Worthing and I really enjoyed being part of the PE department. They made me feel very welcome and I loved working with the children.

Do you live in Eastbourne, if so how long how you lived in the town? (If not, where? Do you live nearby?)

No I don’t live in Eastbourne; I live in Ferring near Worthing. Its about an hour away, it would of been good if I was closer to home but I’m happy to be there and would of traveled anywhere to be part of the relay. I do go to Eastbourne a lot for my Sussex training - it’s a lovely place to run.

Will you have friends and family coming along to the Torch Relay in Eastbourne to cheer you on?

Yes, all my friends and family are coming, from all over the place. Luckily I have a few cousins that live in Eastbourne so it’s great they can come. Hopefully my friends can get the day off school because it wouldn't be the same without them there. It’s a shame my PE teacher, Miss White, can’t be there as I wouldn't have got into sport or joined rugby if it wasn't for her, and all my rugby coaches who have helped me progress throughout the years.

Thanks for speaking to me Lauren - best of luck on the day! Hope you enjoy yourself, I’m sure you will remember it forever.

Lily

David Bradford - Olympic Torch Bearer

Let’s meet out latest torch bearer, David Bradford who will be carrying the torch through Eastbourne next Tuesday 17 July.

A big congratulations to you David on being selected to carry the Olympic Torch. Tell us about your reaction when you first found out?It was an honour just to be nominated, so I was really pleased to find out I had been selected.

The charity RP Fighting Blindness nominated you to be a torch bearer, why was this?
I have the eyesight condition retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a progressive disorder affecting the retina of the eye. I was diagnosed in 2006. The charity RP Fighting Blindness – which funds medical research into finding treatments for RP – nominated me because I raise money for them each year by organising Canter for Sight, a team of runners that takes part in the Kings Head Canter 5k run from Chiddlingly to East Hoathly. www.justgiving.com/canterforsight12

Could you tell me more about your sight condition, retinitis pigmentosa?
It's a genetic condition that causes the gradual loss of photo-receptor cells in the retina of the eye. This causes night-blindness at first, followed by the loss of peripheral vision and ultimately complete blindness. I currently have night-blindness and some loss of mid-peripheral vision; my view of the world is best described as 'patchy'!

You’ve run the London Marathon, tell us why your diagnosis made you even more inspired to take part and achieve a person best of two hours and 38 minutes?
When I was diagnosed, my driving license was revoked, so I had to give up motorcycling – one of my main interests at the time (I was a journalist on a motorcycle magazine). This meant I had more time and energy available for running. I'm currently training for the Berlin Marathon, where I hope to run sub-2hrs 35mins.

How has your life changed since being diagnosed? It sounds like you still continue to do a lot of the things you love?
Apart from no longer being permitted to ride motorcycles, my life hasn't changed greatly. I went back to university and studied for an MA; I wrote a dissertation on examples of blindness in literature, from Sophocles, to Milton, to Diderot and into modern times and writers such as JM Coetzee. It was interesting to learn about how fundamental vision is in western culture and philosophy. My nighttime vision is poor, so getting around after dark can be tricky; I much prefer summertime - the longer daylight hours. I'm doing more running than ever, too.

Are you looking forward to the Olympics being held in London, what sports will you be watching in particular?
I'm most looking forward to the middle- and long-distance track events, and hoping Mo Farah wins a medal at the 5,000m - and possibly the 10,000m too.

Are you nervous about being one of Eastbourne’s Olympic Torch Bearers, how have you been preparing for the big day?
I'm slightly nervous, but I figure 300m should be fairly straightforward – a marathon is 42,000m!

What’s your next project and goals for the future?
A PB at the Berlin Marathon, hopefully some more writing projects, and more fundraising.

Finally, 2012 is a momentous year for Britain, what lasting legacy would you like to see from these fantastic celebrations?
It would be nice to think the Olympics will inspire people to take up sport, and discover the enjoyment it can give - whether that's simply jogging a couple of times per week or training hard to compete in marathons. The UK has problems with high rates of obesity and related health problems, including mental health issues, and exercise can be a great, drug-free solution. It needs investment at grassroots level, not only money for the top tier of sportspeople, and I'm not wholly optimistic about that happening.

Thank you David for sharing your inspiring story with us and once again congratulations to you! To find out more about David and to follow his marathon progress visit his website at www.dbfreelance.co.uk

Lily

Carrying the Olympic Flame... Kate Steer

You must be delighted to have been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch through Eastbourne Kate – where were you when you were told you had been selected and tell us about your reaction?
I was at home when I found out that I was definitely carrying the torch and I was amazed and really honoured.

Tell us about your passion for music and involvement with local schools?
I have always loved music and have strong memories of the teachers who inspired me at both primary and secondary school. I started to get involved at Seaford Primary when my first son started. I used to play the piano for the Christmas productions and then started to help with the recorder club. Over the years I got more and more involved. I became a teaching assistant in the afternoons and eventually helped the teachers out with their music lessons. I became an HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) in March 2005 and have been leading the music in school since about then. When the children were young I used to teach guitar at home to children on a one-to-one basis and also an adult group in the evening .

Apparently one of the choirs that you teach has sang at the o2 arena in London?
I first took our after-school choir to sing at the o2 arena in London two years ago and it was a fantastic experience for them (and me!) They sing with around 8000 children who have learned the same songs, rehearsing in the afternoon and then perform to a huge audience in the evening. I'm expecting to take about 100 children to the next one.

I hear you are organising a fantastic event for children called ‘Proms in the Playground’, what’s this about?
'Proms in the playground' was an exhilarating and exhausting four-evening event. We started with dance night, followed with instrumental night, then key stage one and year three night, ending with the 'Last Night of the Proms'. It was a huge success and the children were amazing. There were performances from both choirs (Chamber and after-school choir), the orchestra, stylophone club, various bands, soloists (dance, instrumental and voice) and a fantastic time was had by all 152 children who took part. On the last night, the audience were standing, waving their flags and singing along to 'Land of Hope & Glory' accompanied by the orchestra. We can't wait to do it all again next year!

And tell us more about your involvement in the local community (care homes)?
I take groups of children to sing in the community and we visit several care/nursing homes/sheltered housing/groups. There is only one venue, however, that I can take all the children to! We go in small groups, generally at Christmas but sometimes at other times during the year. It's good for the children to 'give' to others and they are encouraged to talk with residents after the concerts.

A lot of the funds you raise go to your link school in Nairobi, when was this link initially set up and do you have any plans to visit (or have you)?
As a school, we have a link with the 'Church Army Academy' in Nairobi (set up several years ago) and support them by sending funds each year that we have raised from our summer concerts (Proms). I don't have any current plans to visit but you never know as my brother and his wife have moved to Kenya for five years so it is now a possibility! We usually send around £300, which goes a long way. Some of the teachers have been known to teach for no pay when times are really tough. We are pleased to be sending off £400 this year after our 'Proms' marathon!

Do you live in Eastbourne, if so how long how you lived in the town? (If not, where? Do you live nearby?)
I live in Seaford and have been here since 1988. I enjoy shopping in Eastbourne on a regular basis, but try to stay out of the music shops as I always spend too much in them!!!

How have you been preparing for the big day?
In preparation for the day I have been trying to get a bit fitter! I go to Zumba and exercise in the mornings before school on my wii fit! The children are helping me at lunch times by escorting me jogging around the school field. They are taking it in turns to hold my inflatable torch!

Will the children you teach be coming along to the Torch Relay in Eastbourne to cheer you on?
I believe that around 160 of the children are coming over to cheer me on! They are allowed to leave school at lunch time.

Finally, 2012 is a momentous year for Britain, what lasting legacy would you like to see from these fantastic celebrations?
I'm hoping that a lasting legacy of the games might be more unity between the people of the UK along with support and understanding of each other. Also I 'm sure it will give the children some wonderful memories to tell their grandchildren!

Good luck and thank you for your time Kate - look forward to seeing you (and all your supporters there on the day!)

Lily

Eastbourne's Olympic Torch Bearers

Meet our next Olympic Torch Bearer in Eastbourne – Gavin Owen, who will be carrying the torch through our town on 17 July.

Firstly big congratulations to you Gavin, you must be so excited to have been chosen. What was your first reaction when you heard the news?
Yes, I was somewhat shocked to find I had been chosen, especially after reading some of the other nominations. I’m proud that I’m one of 8,000 people chosen to carry the flame on its journey to the Olympic Stadium.

Your friend Rona nominated you initially, why was this?
Rona nominated me for my passion in the community – which includes running marathons and other events for children’s charities like C-R-Y (Cardiac Risk in the Young). I have helped organise Pride in Brighton for over 10 years and London Pride for the last five years and because I always put my friends before myself and will help them out whenever I can.

You’ve run the Brighton Marathon a few times now, what was it that initially inspired you to take part in these?
After I had completed a tandem parachute jump I decided to try something different. Knowing that I like to jog I thought why not give the marathon a go – it was also the Brighton Inaugural Marathon in 2010 that inspired me.

Tell us more about your involvement with Pride in Brighton and Hove, and London?
I first got involved in Brighton Pride back in 2000 when a friend asked me to help. Having done such a good job as a steward I was asked to help out the following year and this then became a regular event in my life. I have covered all areas as a steward, including being the Chief Steward. I got involved in London Pride a few years later when another friend asked me. Once again I covered many different areas and this year I’m going to be in the ELT department.

Why do you think the judges selected you, I hear one of them was particularly inspired by your achievements?
Once closing date has passed back in December all nominations went to a panel of judges. Sophie Johnstone loved my nomination due to my enthusiasm and my zest for life that came across in my nomination, and that I raise money for charity.

Do you live in Eastbourne Gavin, if so for how long have you lived here, if not do you live nearby?Unfortunately I’m not an Eastbourne resident; I’m actually a born and bred Brightonian. I do however have family members that live in Eastbourne – due to the logistics of the torch relay not everyone was able to have their hometown.

Are you looking forward to the Olympics being held in London, what sports will you be watching in particular?
Yes, I’m looking forward to both the Olympics and Paralympics and although I haven’t gained any tickets I will certainly be watching it all on the television! I’m probably going to watch as many sports as possible, but swimming will definitely be at the top of my list.

Are you nervous about being one of Eastbourne’s Olympic Torch Bearers, how have you been preparing for the big day?
Nervous? No definitely not – I’m so excited it’s unbelievable. I guess I will be nervous on the day though as the whole work will be watching! I’m taking preparing for this momentous day very seriously. I keep up to date on the Torch Relay on the BBC via iPlayer and I’m regularly down the gym training on the treadmill – although we only carry the torch for approximately 300 metres!

What’s your next project and goals for the future?
I have a few projects in the pipeline – including a 10k run in Brighton on the 18 November and then the Brighton Marathon in 2013. I’m also considering looking into doing a personal trainer course later in the year. And I’m also a Games Maker for the Paralympics.

Finally, 2012 is a momentous year for Britain, what lasting legacy would you like to see from these fantastic celebrations?
I hope that these events will inspire people to go out and try something new, whether this be trying a new sport or helping someway in the community. I hope that the Games continue to inspire others and pass the legacy onto future generations.

Thanks for talking to us Gavin. Wishing you the best of luck on the big day on Tuesday 17 July – let’s hope all that training pays off!

Lily