Bob Lingwood

Bob is 92 years of age and is one of the most dedicated Community Activists in Omagh. Bob originates from London where at 8 years of age, he was a BallBoy at Stamford Bridge. Bob moved to Nortehrn Ireland in the 1950's to marry his wife. During his time here, he managed a shoe factory in which he tackled Sectarianism by ensuring that every worker had equal rights, and by not falling for the Political escapades that were regular at that time. Bob retired from the shoe factory, but just like Bob, he didn't actually retire, he was Head-Hunted by Reebok Shoe Co. to travel the world and check the quality of the Reebok trainers. Bob retired (again) in the late 80's and then took an interest in the Community & Voluntary sector, and to this day, he is still actively involved. His work includes being a member of PROBUS Men's Club, Omagh Churches Forum, Omagh Gardening Society, FOCUS (the Community Network) and he is current Chairperson of Omagh Accesss Forum who deal with Accessibility Issues for disabled people. As I've said already, Bob is 93 years young and is as fit and active as someone a third of his age; whether you see him driving about in his car, or climbing the two flights of stairs of Omagh Community House, Bob is always flying around making sure that the Community's issues are first and foremost on his agenda. No one else is more deserving, or more inspirational, than Bob. And that is why he should be an Olympic TorchBearer.