Hollie Clugston

Hollie has profound learning and speech and language difficulties as a result of challenging early life experiences. Since being adopted 10 years ago, she has developed into an impressive young woman. Inspite of her special needs, Hollie has exceeded every estimate of her ability and potential and is a daily inspiration. Hollie loves sport and has taken part in swimming, cycling, triathlon, canoeing, sailing, climbing, karate and windsurfing to name a few. Whenever she sees live sport, or tv coverage Hollie says 'I want to do that!' We live close to the Olympic Park and Hollie has been more and more excited as she has seen the stadiums beeing built. She has already been inspired to try the white water rafting at Lea Valley, and mountain biking like Shanaze Reid and is also keen to try womens boxing! Hollie is an active scout with numerous achievements, activities, voluntary work and awards. As Assistant Group Leader she is supporting young people in Beavers and Scouts groups at weekly sessions. She was recently awarded the Chief Scouts Gold Award and achieved the Jack Petchey award for endeavour. Hollie genuinely represents all that is positive about young people and potential, and would be a proud and worthy torchbearer. For certain, when she sees the Olympic flame around the country, she is going to say 'I want to do that!' and it would be a memorable life achievement symbolising the spirit over adversity.