Olympic Torch - Stevenage

July 8th, 2012 at 12.02

The Stevenage leg of the relay will start on North Road, opposite Franklins Road, at around 11am. It will then make its way into the High Street by the Bowling Green and travel the length of the High Street, before turning onto Church Lane, and then up Sish Lane to the entrance to King George V Playing Fields.

Members of the convoy will take a lunch break in the park, before continuing onto the second part of the relay. This takes them out of the park onto the cycle track next to Fairlands Way, through the roundabout and up onto St George’s Way by the swimming pool. The relay will then continue along St George’s Way and turn right onto Six Hills Way before coming to an end at Norton Road.

There will be opportunities to view the Torch Relay and its convoy all along the route and sponsors will be entertaining spectators and giving away goodies before the torch itself arrives.

Meet Your Torchbearers

	Name: Carol Lewis Hometown: Cuffley Age: 55 Nomination: Carol is the family support worker for my organisation. Her work with vulnerable families is outstanding and her drive and determination to make sure each family is treated fairly and gets the outcome they need while they are experiencing any crisis knows no bounds. Carol always goes above and beyond the call of duty by showing respect and friendship to anyone that requires assistance. Many of the families she works alongside have suffered mental health issues, drug and alcohol addiction, bereavement,domestic violence and low parenting capacity. The children may have often suffered abuse and trauma. Carol has the ability to listen, calm and engage the families and to encourage sustainable change. Carol is also the Secretary on the local Youth and Community Centre and volunteer`s her time freely to assist the young people in the area. Carol also runs regularly and says she uses it as her therapy. Carol has completed 3 London Marathons and countless half marathons and 10k races raising thousands of pounds for charity
	Name: Gobi Ranganathan Hometown: Hertfordshire Age: 36 Nomination: Gobi is currently the No.1 British Men's singles wheelchair badminton player and ranked 8th in the world. He has spina bifida and is primarily a wheelchair user however this doesn't stop him from being very independant. Originally a swimmer, he won a variety of medals at both Regional and National level, on retiring from swimming he decided to take up badminton. Since 2007 he has represented England regularly in both national and international competitions giving him his current ranking - his achievement is mostly self financed. As well as competing and working, Gobi takes time to visit local schools and inspires children of all abilities and ages to get involved in sport and never lets his disability stop him from achieving his goals.
	Name: John Mayor Hometown: Stevenage Age: 53 Nomination: John is a living example of health and wellness. He also promotes positive energy through his infectious character and approach to life. Continue to train and compete to a high standard and win World and European Masters titles. So far I have World Bronze European Bronze and Silver to my name . As Decathlon is my main event I come in to contact with all of the training groups at my local athletics club and always pass on any training advice that I can. I have been told by all the various coaches that the younger athletes are inspired by me because they see the work I put in and the success I have had and that I always have a very positive attitude and encourage the kids be the same. I have been a member of my athletics club for 29 years ( 30 in 2012 ) and still love the sport
	Name: Luca Wells Hometown: Stevenage Age: 12 Nomination: Luca is an extremely conscientious student who works hard each and every day just like the athletes competing at the Games. He gives up his own time to help out staff and friends and has very good interpersonal skills. He has represented the school in several sports since joining the school including basketball football and rugby and has trained with the Arsenal Development Centre. Luca is a role model for his peers and is extremely popular amongst staff and students for his mature attitude work ethic and personality. He is a student any school would be proud to have on the roll and would be an extremely good representative for the Games.
	Name: Peter Norris Hometown: Hemel Hempstead Age: 28 Nomination:  Peter is a dedicated athlete. He runs for Harrow Athletics club and has been a member for many years. He competes in the Steeplechase and Half Marathons for the club. He has applied for tickets for the athletics at the Olympics but has been unsuccessful. We feel Peter should be a torchbearer for the Olympics because of the dedication that he gives to his club. As well as competing for them he also coaches the young members of the club, giving up a lot of his spare time in the evenings and at weekends. Peter and our daughter Debra have recently got married and even during the build up to the wedding, he still carried on with his training and coaching commitments. We know that the club consider him to be a valued member. Although Peter is only our Son-in-Law we are very proud of the commitment that he shows to his sport. He has trained hard over the years and is only about a minute of the qualifying time for the men's steeplechase.
	Name: Robert McVey Hometown: Tring Age: 21 Nomination: Rob is an inspiring young man who has served his local and community faithfully through the Scout Association and the medium of music. He is self-motivated as demonstrated by the achievement of the Queen's Scout and the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Awards working largely independently. He enjoys taking responsibility and helping other young people make the most of themselves - whether it be ensuring 2 children with learning difficulties were able to participate fully in the Akeman Street Church Youth Club for 5-11 year-olds; supporting 1st Tring Cubs as a Young Leader and helping to run camps; being a Mountain Leader for Oddy Explorer Scouts; or as a leader in Tring School Windband with responsibility for running section rehearsals and as a sub-group leader (responsible for health, safety and well-being of 8 - 10 students) whilst on tours within the UK and abroad.
	Name: Stefanie Daniels Hometown: Borehamwood Age: 32 Nomination: In 2007, I went with a group of people to South Africa where I provided care for children orphaned as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I was responsible for 20 children who lost families to this disease and had to teach them everything from cleaning their teeth through to cleaning and painting the orphanage. Most importantly I played games and showed them love which was tragically missing from their lives. On return to the UK, the group and I set up a charity named Promise. I had bonded with a 6 year old called Promise so it was aptly named. I help my husband fundraise approximately £10k for various charities through him running London marathons. He has just received his place for his 6th run for a charity close to my heart - Chai Cancer, the charity her mum has used since she was first diagnosed approximately 6 years ago.

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