Olympic Torch - Kettering

Meet The Kettering Torchbearers

	Name: Alice Barnes Hometown: Northants Age: 16 Nomination: Lloyds TSB, proud Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, has selected Olympic hopeful, 16 year old Alice Barnes from Towcester, as an Olympic Torchbearer. Alice, who won the national mountain bike championship this year, was selected because of her commitment and dedication to her sport of cycling and inspiring her peers through becoming involved in school sport such as her involvement in National School Sport Week. Alice is an athlete on the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes programme.
	Name: Amy McDyre Hometown: Corby Age: 28 Nomination: Amy is a real champion for McDonalds both in our group of restaurants and around our local community. She is our Planet Champion and takes this very seriously- she has liaised with Anglian Water to set up water saving initiatives in all our store restrooms and has also arranged for all 10 restaurants to have light sensors fitted in backup areas to reduce electricity usage Amy has set up recycling programs in 7 of our restaurants in conjunction with local councils Amy has also arranged litter events for example in May she held a Love where you Live 2-day event in partnership with Corby Council journalists and pupils and parents from a local school- Hamburgler attended and was a big hit! Amy has also raised over £3k for local charities so far in 2011.
	Name: Andrea Candotto Carniel Hometown: Roveredo In Piano Age: 22 Nomination: My instance of everyday heroism came when I was a volunteer for the Civil Protection department. I helped people prevent and halt flood damage to their houses, and to empty out the houses that were already flooded. I am not sure of how great an impact I made, but it felt good to be able to give any help I could. I would welcome the opportunity to do it again.
	Name: Chris McDonald Hometown: Northampton Age: 20 Nomination: Christopher was born 10 weeks early and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and severe hearing loss. When he was 9 months old, his family were told that he may never walk or never talk. However, always the fighter, Chris defied all the odds, and at 8 years old started playing football for Northampton Town Football Club`s disabled team. In 2003, Chris underwent a major operation where both legs were broken in order to reset the bones. With a recovery time of at least a year, Chris was back playing football months before the doctors had foreseen. Chris` passion for the game is second to none.
	Name: Dave Green Hometown: Northampton Age: 46 Nomination: He is very passionate about everything he does and I think he deserves this chance to do something like this and be recognised for his effords. Dave has in the past run the Great North Run, but after an hip opperation, which went wrong, has lost the capability of doing this again.
	Name: Elaine O'Sullivan Hometown: Northamptonshire Age: 52 Nomination: Mum has a very strong passion for running. Started 4 years ago ran 2 Marathons and ran for Great Britain. Great mum who deserves a treat!I started running at the age of 48 only 4yrs ago it has changed my life completely.I help out with the beginners at our local running club which gives me a great feel good factor and inspires me to help others to achieve their goals Earlier this year I went to Belgium to run for GB in Ghent in the European Masters Championships and won a silver medal. My dream would be to win a Gold medal in the world championships in Rio de Janero in 2013 that would be fantastic !! The chance to carry the Olympic Torch for my country would be absolutely amazing !!!!
	Name: Gary Denyer Hometown: Northampton Age: 49 Nomination: In March of this year Gary took it on himself to run the London Marathon raising money for 'Children with Leukaemia'. Gary had never run a marathon before but he was determined to complete the course as he wanted to raise as much money as possible for this truly worthwhile cause. So, after months of hard work and training Gary took part in the marathon and he raised an amazing £12,000 for his chosen charity. Gary's whole reason for raising money was to recognise the sterling effort shown by the medical practitioners in the treatment of his little boy, and to help others in similar circumstances. Gary's dedication has inspired me to take up a new challenge - and I have signed up for the Great South Run, running for the Paralympics. I would never have done this had Gary not ran the marathon and raised as much money as he did.
	Name: Hannah Sanchez Hometown: Nottingham Age: 18 Nomination: Hannah is an inspiring individual, since the age of 12 she has helped weekly at our village Rainbow unit, helped at our annual village play-scheme. When I say she helps, she plans prepares and organises activities for the children to do. From shopping to get items needed to make or play games to the clearing away at the end. Hannah last year took part in the Staff team for the Centenary for Girl Guiding. She has represented her school as a member of the School council, and continues to volunteer to mentor others at school. (South Wolds Community School). She has helped at her local dance school initially for part of her Sports Leaders qualification at school but has continued to do so after she has finished the number of hours needed.
	Name: Paolo Dante Hometown: Taranto Age: 42 Nomination: On March 11, 2002 I saved 13 human lives after an SOS call from the sea around the island of Saseno. I am a Air Rescue Operator in the Italian Marine Forces.
	Name: Ruth Gillett Hometown: Northampton Age: 35 Nomination: Ruth makes the most amazing difference to our community in so many ways. She is a huge fan of sport&plays volleyball for the Northampton National League Ladies Team. She is the first to raise money for any charity, from Abseiling down the Northampton Lift Tower for landmine removal charities, to fancy dress for Comic Relief,&everything in between. She is an active member of our primary school PTA, helping to raise money for school equipment,&a committee member for our local toy library. Along with being an amazing mum she also works with learning disabled adults. The fact that the young men she looks after have been in her care since they were babies shows how highly the families of these people think of her. Ruth is also an amazing friend, who will always help out anybody without a second thought. She genuinely thinks the best of everybody, and would be perfect to carry the flame!
	Name: Tommaso Scollo Hometown: Firenze Age: 34 Nomination: The most special moment of my 34 years on this planet came one Sunday morning, when I saved the life of an old woman picked up by my ambulance team. Seeing her die, and then seeing her come back to life under my hands truly changed something inside of me. I did not wake in vain that morning.
	Name: Vicky Foster Hometown: Kettering Age: 41 Nomination: Vicky is a senior care assistant at our residential home for the elderly. We nominate her because over the past 6 years that she has been working here she has proved to be a beacon of light, bringing laughter, love and hope to our residents. Her care and compassion extends beyond the residents, many of whom have dementia, to providing strength and support for the families, helping them to cope with this often difficult journey. She puts her heart and soul into the job and we are certain she will carry the Torch with pride, not only for herself but also our residents representing their hopes and aspirations. In doing so, she will act as an ambassador for the elderly up and down the land!