Video Interviews With Essex Torchbearers

Heart has been meeting some of the inspirational people who carried the Olympic Torch through Essex and East Herts.

The Olympic Torch Relay spent two days in Essex and East Herts - arriving in a wet Colchester in the early hours of Friday 6th July before leaving the county via an equally soggy Newport at lunchtime on Saturday 7th July.

Andy Wood - Heybridge

51-year-old Andy Wood from Ipswich carried the torch through Heybridge on Friday 6th July.

Andy received an MBE for his work in the community promoting gymnastics. He has had three major operations and says it was an honour to be selected to be a part of this historic event.

Charley Jennings - Rayleigh

37-year-old Charley Jennings carried the flame through Rayleigh on Friday 6th July. She suffered from anorexia when she was younger but now runs marathons raising thousands of pounds for Eating Disorder charities.

Heart's Rachel Babbage met Charley and she said was excited to be part of the relay in her hometown.

Ingrid Brandon - Herongate

56-year-old Ingrid Brandon from Herongate is described as a 'global citizen' who 'constantly puts the hardships of others before her own needs'.

Ingrid will be carried the flame through part of Herongate on day 49 of the torch relay on Friday 6th July.

Heart's Rachel Babbage met Ingrid and found out how she was nominated to carry the flame, and what she was most looking forward to about the day.

Peter Mwaura - Grays

12-year-old Peter Mwaura from Basildon is an inspirational young man who suffered the loss of his mother in his first week at senior school. He was a torchbearer in Grays on Friday 6th July. 

Heart's Rachel Babbage met Peter.

Paul Salmon - Brentwood

39-year-old Paul Salmon from Colne Engaine is a volunteer First Responder, Brownie volunteer and was nominated by children at Colne Engaine School. He told Heart's Rachel Babbage that he was apprehensive but excited to be carrying the Olympic torch in Brentwood on Friday 6th July.

Julie Boxer - Waltham Cross

41-year-old Julie Boxer from Billericay ran with the Olympic Torch through Waltham Cross on Saturday 7th July.

Heart's Rachel Babbage met Julie and discovered that Julie's torch was be paid for by an anonymous benefactor after she was nominated for her work with guide dogs.

Sally Glossop - Ware

48-year-old Sally Glossop from Ware runs an after school club for children with special needs.

Sally carried the flame through part of Ware on day 50 of the torch relay on Saturday 7th July.

Clare Thompson - Saffron Walden

Clare Thompson, 49, from Saffron Walden coaches sports to many people including a blind man. She carried the torch through Saffron Walden on Saturday 7th July.