Graham Furber

I would like to nominate my dad, Graham, to carry the Olympic torch. Dad has dedicated so much of his own time to volunteering in Sport. He has been the head coach and Co-ordinator for the Junior section of his cricket club for 16 years. The club regularly has over 100 young crickets on an evening. He has also dedicated thousands of hours to disabled cricketers whilst volunteering for the CFPD (Cricket Federation for People with Disabilities) as England Team Manager. His passion for sport has never wavered. He was one of the founders of Disability Cricket being present at the first ever session in Oswestry in 1989 whilst trying to get my older brother Richard, who was born Spina Bifida, into the sport he loved. Sadly my brother passed away in June 2010 and whilst this left a massive hole in all our lives and despite what must now be painful memories, my dad continues to work tirelessly within Cricket. He has maintained his commitments with CFPD and now, since his retirement become a "Chance to Shine" coach working in North Shropshire Schools. He is the main reason I wanted to be a coach and his passion inspired me to put all my efforts into coaching athletes with a disability at the top level. I am now the Lead Coach of the GB Para-Cycling Team. You could not find a more inspirational, self-less or deserving person to carry the Olympic Torch.