Luke Lancaster

I would like to nominate my friend and colleague, Luke Lancaster, to carry the Olympic torch in 2012. At just 15 years of age Luke is the founder and CEO of registered UK charity Young Pioneers (www.youngpioneers.org). Having almost been excluded from school as a result of bullying, Luke created the organisation to enable young people with the skills and confidence they need to be life-ready and to make a difference to their communities and society. Three years on the charity is going from strength to strength and Luke himself received the Children & Youg People's Champion Award in 2010 from CYPN for the work he does with young people in the UK. As CEO of Young Pioneers, Luke heads all activities and gets involved with the work we do at all levels. The charity designs and develops educational programmes and initiatives designed to inspire young people to lead personal and social change. Luke helps identify the young people that need the most support, and contributes to the research, design and teaching of the programmes. He is frequently invited to speak on behalf of Young Pioneers and issues relating to young people and is passionate about championing his cause. On a more personal note, Luke is a driven yet caring person with a great sense of humour and sense of fun. I know he'd have a great time being part of the whole torch-bearing experience and would make a fabulous addition both to your team and to the event as a whole. Thank you!