• Rosie Smith to light ceremonial cauldron on The Mound
• Flame to visit Edinburgh Sick Children’s Hospital
• Flame Festival to be held at Meadowbank Sports Centre
• Download images from the day
The day will start at 8am on The Mound where Rosie Smith, from Glasgow will use the Scottish Flame to light the ceremonial cauldron in front of the giant Agitos. Rosie was nominated by Capability Scotland after she led their first ever Ben Nevis event which involved teams of disabled and non disabled people working together to conquer the UK’s highest peak. Although not in the winning team for 2008, Rosie took up the challenge again when the event was repeated in 2011 and led her team to a jubilant victory.
The Scouts that helped to create the Scottish Flame at the summit of Ben Nevis will also be present at the ceremony. They are:
Jason Ridgely,18, from Thurso. He is an Assistant Scout Leader and has been Scouting since he was 8-years-old. He has Scheurman’s Disease which is a serious spinal condition. In 2009 Jason had to undergo extensive surgery to his back where it was broken in eight places before being put back together again in order to correct a curvature of his spine. He now has two steel rods the length of his spin in his back. He has since recovered, and – always a keen swimmer—has become an elite athlete, recently competing at the British Gas Swimming Championships in London in March this year. After three years of constant pain and not even being able to walk long distances, this was an outstanding achievement. Jason went to the summit of Ben Nevis with his family during 2011 and did it again this week as part of the team that ascended Ben Nevis to help create the Flame.
Robyn Gunning, 16, from Aviemore, Christina Sheffield, 16, from Kingussie, Edward Brown, 15, from Kingussie and Joseph Tangney,15, from Fort William are all Scouts from the Highlands of Scotland who have enjoyed various adventures, opportunities and challenges through Scouting. They really enjoyed their mountain top experience on Ben Nevis and were thrilled to put the survival skills they have learned through Scouting to the test by helping light the Flame. They were inspired by their team mate Jason and are all honoured to be have been part of this historical occasion.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: 'Created at the summit of Ben Nevis, the Scottish Flame represents an achievement of human endeavour, which is something that every Paralympian represents. I invite the people of Edinburgh to show their support for the Paralympic Torch Relay as it travels around the city and help us to lead the way to the Paralympic Games.'
After the cauldron has been lit, two Flame Ambassadors from the Glasgow Flame Celebration will collect part of the Scottish Flame and take it back to their community.
Maggie McEleny, 47, from Grenock, represented Great Britain at four consecutive Paralympic Games from 1992 to 2004 collecting 15 Paralympic medals, including 3 Gold. Her enthusiasm for swimming has continued since her retirement and Maggi is now inspiring swimmers of the future as a coach at Port Glasgow Otters.
Jodie Taylor, 18, from Glasgow. Jodie is a young aspiring dance performer. Since 2009 she has been dancing with the group Make Music Move working alongside Paragon, Ydance and Scottish Dance Theatre’s Agent for Change, Caroline Bowditch. Besides performing in the annual Make Music Move show at Tramway in Glasgow Jodie has performed at Big Dance Day at Dundee Rep and Go Dance! at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal.
The event at Tramway will include outdoor and indoor activity, dance and music performances, participative arts workshops, recipe exchange and games including boccia and basketball tasters.
Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said: 'It is fantastic to see the Flame coming to Edinburgh, and it’s a great honour for the city to have the chance to celebrate what will be the biggest and best Paralympics ever. The talents, dedication and hard work of Scotland’s torch bearers and ParalympicsGB is, quite simply, inspirational. I’d especially like to send my best wishes to the 26 Scottish Paralympians, and I know the whole country will be cheering them on throughout the Games.'
Sport Minister Shona Robison said: 'I am delighted to welcome the Paralympic Flame to Edinburgh - the Flame events are a great way for Scotland to get behind the Games and celebrate parasport. I have no doubt the upcoming Paralympics will encourage disabled people’s participation in sport and significantly transform disabled people’s lives, ultimately leading to a more inclusive society for everyone to live in.'
At 11am the Scottish Flame will visit Edinburgh Sick Children’s Hospital where the children will get a chance to hold it in a miner’s lantern.
At midday the Scottish Flame will visit a community event at Meadowbank Sports Centre, where local disability sports clubs will be holding demonstrations and ‘have a go’ sessions.
At 6pm there will be a Flame Festival at Meadowbank Sports Centre. The event will include performances from 'Pulse of the Place' Samba band alongside Sing in the City and Edinburgh Signing Choir. Tickets for this free event are available at http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/paralympicflamefestival
The highlight of the event will be a spectacular lantern procession where two hundred children and families line the route for the eight Torchbearers as they carry the Scottish Flame into the Flame Festival. The Torchbearers will be:
Robert Anderson, 44, from Edinburgh. He was selected through the Bank of Scotland nomination programme for the major part that he plays in many people’s lives through his role as head of Maggie`s Cancer Caring Centre in Edinburgh. Maggie`s is very often the first port of call when people receive the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis and throughout the cancer journey and beyond. He and his team provide unparalleled support and guidance to cancer patients, their family and friends and in fact to anyone affected by cancer.
Alexandra Blunt, 15, from Edinburgh. She was selected through the Bank of Scotland nomination programme for the way that she has managed to overcome a number of health setbacks and make a number of achievements. She joined the Youth Advisory Board of the National Deaf Children`s Society (one of twelve children UK wide and one of two in Scotland) last year and has helped inform both strategic direction of the charity and also make decisions about key events and operational focus. She competes in regional climbing competitions, exploring winter walking and has recently started Judo.
Michael Mceleney, 56, from Glasgow. He was selected through the Bank of Scotland nomination programme for how he overcame a spinal injury through sport at Stoke Mandeville which has become an important part of his life and has taken him all over the world.
Lynne Sturgeon, 40, from Penicuik. She was selected through the Bank of Scotland nomination programme for her hard work and dedication to training athletes at Allstars Disability Sports Club and Loanhead Dolphins, both of which have fed into the Special Olympics and Paralympics for the last 7 years.
Gemma Lockerbie, 22, from Edinburgh. She was selected through the Sainsbury’s nomination programme for the first aid and assistance that she gave to a man that was suffering from a heart attack which helped to save his life.
Anne Mclaren, 50, from Glasgow. She was selected through the Sainsbury’s nomination programme for her quick thinking when one of her colleagues suffered a severe allergic reaction which ultimately helped save her life.
Martin Dougan, 25, from Glasgow. He has used a wheelchair since the age of 13 due to cerebral palsy but that has never let him get in the way of his love of sport. He plays wheelchair basketball for the Lothian Phoenix Wheelchair Basketball Club and has captained Scotland. He has been selected by Channel 4 as one of eight new faces to front their coverage of the Paralympic Games.
Adam Mould, 47, from Glasgow. He was nominated by Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living. He is an ex-serviceman who has been facing some serious health challenges and is now a wheelchair-user. Passionate about sport, he is a member of the West of Scotland wheelchair basketball team, captain of the Scottish wheelchair tag rugby team and, in 2011, completed the Glasgow 10k in record time. Driven by a relentlessly positive attitude he has led by example in encouraging others to take up sport and, indeed, to embrace life to the full.
The City of Edinburgh Council's Festivals and Events champion, Cllr Steve Cardownie, said: "It's great for Edinburgh that we'll have the honour of staging a flame festival as the country builds up to the Paralympics. It's already been a brilliant summer of sport and Scotland's capital will continue to play its part with a fantastic day of events tomorrow [Sunday].
'We wish our athletes all the very best for the Games. Obviously everyone is hoping they can emulate the incredible success of their Olympic counterparts but whatever happens I'm sure they will give their all.'
The London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay is being presented by BT, Bank of Scotland and Sainsbury’s and they will provide a variety of entertainment during the six days of the Relay.
As a proud sponsor of the Paralympics, BT will be providing entertainment on the main stage at the Flame Festival with a high energy drumming team getting the crowd going. There will also be an interactive BT area where visitors can have their photos taken with a Paralympic Torch, sign their good luck message to Paralympics GB on a huge signing wall, pick up a supporters flag and listen to BT’s steel drumming band The Melodians.
Suzi Williams, Director, BT Group Marketing and Brand, added: 'At BT we understand the power of Paralympic sport to inspire people, that's why we've brought teams together to run with the Paralympic Torch. It’s fantastic that people in Scotland have the opportunity to share the Flame’s journey to London - this is their moment to be at the heart of a once in a lifetime experience.'
As Presenting Partner of the Paralympic Torch Relay, Bank of Scotland is proud to be bringing the inspiration of the Paralympic Games closer to customers and communities across the UK with a unique fusion of street performance, theatre and sport from the Bank of Scotland Flame Followers, who will inspire and excite crowds at the Flame Festival with a performance that celebrates the endeavour, athleticism, agility and skill of Paralympics GB, our national Paralympic sporting heroes.
Visitors to the Bank of Scotland site at the Flame Festival can have their photo taken with the Paralympic Torch, meet Bank of Scotland Local Heroes – local future stars of Team GB and Paralympics GB – and get up close to the Flame Followers.
Sally Hancock, Director, London 2012 Partnership at Lloyds Banking Group, said: 'We are looking forward to the Scottish Flame arriving at The Mound on Sunday, to light the Celebration Cauldron ahead of the Flames uniting to form the Paralympic Flame on Tuesday. Bank of Scotland will be bringing the excitement of the Paralympic Games to Scotland at the Edinburgh Flame Festival. We are immensely proud of our inspirational Torchbearers such as Alexandria Blunt and Robert Anderson from Edinburgh, Lynne Sturgeon from Penicuik and Michael McEleney from Glasgow who will carry the Scottish Flame into the Festival. We are calling on everyone to come to the Flame Festival for the arrival of the Flame and to cheer on our Paralympic Torchbearers.'
Sainsbury’s, the first ever Paralympic Games only sponsor, will be hosting a specially created Paralympic Flame lighting. Attendees will be able to light the Paralympic Cauldron with a ‘virtual flame’ through an interactive video and then will be given a unique code to download the video and share with their friends through social media channels.
The retailer will also be hosting the opportunity for all those going to the Flame Festivals, to have their photo taken with the Paralympic Torch, as well as activities for children including face painting, balloon modelling and more.
Former X Factor and Pop Star To Opera Star winner Joe McElderry will also be performing onstage to entertain the thousands of excited Paralympic Games supporters.
Jat Sahota, Head of Sponsorship at Sainsbury’s, commented: 'As proud partners of the Paralympic Torch Relay and the Flame Festivals, we have already taken the Torch into Sainsbury’s stores right across the country. We now look forward to sharing this once in a lifetime experience with our Sainsbury’s customers, colleagues and Torchbearers as the National Flames begin their journey to the Olympic Stadium.'
After the celebrations have finished in Edinburgh, the Scottish Flame will be taken to Stoke Mandeville, spiritual home of the Paralympic movement, where on Tuesday 28 August it will be united with the other three national Flames during a special ceremony to create the London 2012 Paralympic Flame. It will then be carried by 580 Torchbearers, working in teams of five, during a 24 hour relay to the Olympic Ceremony for the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games.
This includes a number of Torchbearers from across Scotland, such as:
- Meggan Dawson-Farrrell, 19, from Clackmannanshire, will be part of a team that carries the Paralympic Flame in Hackney. She was selected through the Bank of Scotland campaign for being a talented wheelchair athlete who has made significant progress in the world of athletics having now firmly established herself as an integral member of the Scottish Athletics Squad and one of Scotland’s leading female wheelchair athletes.
- Elizabeth Eaton, 49, from Edinburgh, will be part of a team that carries the Paralympic Flame in Brent. She was nominated by the International Paralympic Committee for the way that she has overcome the stroke that she suffered 15 years ago. She was in the RYA Challenger Transition Squad for 3 years and I went to the Challenger World Regatta in Cascais in Portugal and I was 11th. I crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a tall ship with the Jubilee Sailing Trust.
For a full list of Torchbearers, go to: http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/torch-relay/torchbearers/
People are being encouraged to show their support for the Paralympic Torch Relay. Whether it’s taking lanterns along to a Flame Festival or Celebration, supporting a Torchbearer or getting friends together to line the route of the 24 hour relay, everyone is encouraged to get involved. For further information about how to get involved, go to: http://www.london2012.com/lightalantern
- Ends -
For further information please contact David Paull in the London 2012 Press Office on 07720122223 or visit the website at www.london2012.com. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog http://blog.london2012.com or follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/london2012
Notes to editors
Broadcast footage of the Flame Lightings on each of the mountains is available at http://footagelibrary.london2012.com. During the Paralympic Torch Relay two short packages of broadcast footage will also be made available in the footage library. Media will need to register for access in advance. Registration is free.
The broadcast of the Paralympic Torch Relay is provided for editorial use only. There can be no commercial association, no third party association and no commercial/ad superimposition on the video footage, unless the prior written consent of the IPC is acquired.
An animated video of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay is also available in the Footage library. Please search for 'Paralympic Torch Relay Animation Promo'.
Paralympic Torch Relay dates and events:
24 August 2012 - London cauldron lighting event
25 August 2012 – Belfast cauldron lighting event and Flame Festival at City Hall
26 August 2012 - Edinburgh cauldron lighting event and Flame Festival at Meadowbank Sports Centre
27 August 2012 - Cardiff cauldron lighting event and Flame Festival at Roald Dahl Plass
28 August 2012 - Stoke Mandeville Paralympic Flame Lighting Ceremony to bring together all four Flames to create the Paralympic Flame and 24 hour relay begins
29 August 2012 - Paralympic Flame arrives at the Stadium in time for the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games
For further information about the Paralympic Torch Relay please visit http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/torch-relay/
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services, operating in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
BT is the official communications services partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.
In the year ended 31 March 2011, BT Group’s revenue was £20,076 million with profit before taxation of £1,717 million.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt
All news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre
Lloyds TSB is the exclusive Banking & Insurance Partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and partner of the London 2012 ticketing programme and the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays. The Bank is committed to inspire and support young people, businesses and communities across Britain in the lead up to London 2012.
As a National Presenting Partner for the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB will be taking the spirit and inspiration of the Paralympic Flame right to the heart of communities across the UK. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland will be the National Presenting Partner in Scotland. Be the first to hear how to follow the Paralympic and Olympic Flames, through our customer-exclusive programme Trackside. For more information on how Lloyds TSB is helping take the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to all corners of Britain, visit: www.lloydstsb.com/london2012
Sainsbury’s is proud to be a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay. Sainsbury’s is committed to promoting a healthier, more active lifestyle for all, regardless of ability, and supporting the values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality on which the Paralympic Movement was founded.
Sainsbury’s will be using its partnership of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay to engage and celebrate those who make a lasting difference in attitudes towards disability in the UK and create opportunities for change in disabled people’s lives.
Sainsbury's is the first ever Paralympic Games-only sponsor and this landmark commitment to the Paralympic Movement is the largest sponsorship ever of a Paralympic Games.
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website at www.london2012.com. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog http://www.london2012.com/blog or follow us on Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/london2012
London 2012 Games partners:
The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.
LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS. There are now twenty-eight domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield.
There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games-only Partner, Sainsbury’s and one domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Supplier, Otto Bock. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.
