NEW FOREST TODAY
NEW FOREST TODAY NEWS
Forest leader backs Olympic flame campaign
The torch relay will come to the south
New Forest District Council leader, Councillor Barry Rickman, is encouraging local communities to put forward their nominations for Olympic torchbearers before the deadline on Wednesday 29 June.
The organisers of the London Olympics and Paralympics are on the search for 8000 people in the UK to become torchbearers and carry the Olympic flame in the run-up to London 2012. They want to hear about those special people in the community who deserve to be commended. Each of the 8,000 torchbearers will have a story of personal achievement or contribution to their local community.
Councillor Rickman said: "We have many local heroes among us and this is a great opportunity for the New Forest to be a part of the Olympic legacy.
"The Olympic flame will travel within an hour of most people in the UK during the torch relay so it would be great to have people from the New Forest taking part when it reaches our part of the world.
"If you know somebody who is truly inspirational then now's your chance to pay tribute to them by putting their name forward for the honour of carrying the Olympic flame."
Although it is open to everybody, young people in particular are encouraged to get involved. At least half of the torchbearer places are expected to go to people aged between 12 and 24 years who are considered leading lights in their local communities.
The 'Moment to Shine' nomination portal at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay asks for up to 150 words on why the nominee should carry the Olympic flame. The deadline for making nominations is 11.59pm on Wednesday 29 June 2011.
Published 23 June 2011
