Last opportunities to nominate a team to carry the Paralympic Flame

BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury's all on the look out for inspirational London 2012 Torchbearers. 11 Jan 2012

London 2012 stadium.

ⒸIPC

"All around the UK there are teams or individuals that embody the Paralympic values and make a difference to the lives of others. The London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay aims to recognize the contribution of some of these amazing people."

The start of 2012 sees the last opportunities to nominate people to carry the Paralympic Flame during the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.

The three Presenting Partners for the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay, BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s, are searching for inspirational Torchbearers, to work in teams of five, to carry the Paralympic Flame during an overnight Torch Relay from Stoke Mandeville to the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games at the Stadium in Stratford, East London.

On 11 January 2012 Sainsbury’s launched its public nomination process, the last of the three campaigns run by the Presenting Partners. The campaign will give customers in its stores across the UK an opportunity to nominate a team or individual from their local community who they feel has inspired them. The campaign will run until Tuesday 14 February.

Successful nominees will have displayed the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality to make a difference or push the boundaries of what is achievable.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: “All around the UK there are teams or individuals that embody the Paralympic values and make a difference to the lives of others. The London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay aims to recognize the contribution of some of these amazing people.

“The Sainsbury’s nomination programme is the final opportunity to put people forward, so if there is a team or individual that you feel deserves recognition for their contribution, then I would encourage you to nominate them.”

BT launched its nomination campaign on Tuesday 13 December and has received over 500 nominations so far. The campaign will run until Friday 20 January.

Lloyds TSB ran its campaign from 18 October to 22 November 2011, during which it received thousands of nominations.

The London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay programme will begin on Friday 24 August 2012 with the first Flame lighting event to be held in London. Over the Bank Holiday weekend, the greater Belfast area, Edinburgh and Cardiff will each host a Flame lighting moment and an evening Flame Festival.

BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s will also select people to carry the Flames lit in Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh during their evening Flame Festivals.

A special ceremony and final Flame Festival will be held in Stoke Mandeville, spiritual home of the Paralympic Movement, during which all four flames will be brought together to create the Paralympic Flame .

The Torch Relay will also include nominations from the British Paralympic Association and the International Paralympic Committee.

Paralympic Torch Relay dates and events:

24 August 2012 - London Flame lighting event

25 August 2012 – Greater Belfast area Flame lighting event and Flame Festival

26 August 2012 - Edinburgh Flame lighting event and Flame Festival

27 August 2012 - Cardiff Flame lighting event and Flame Festival

28 August 2012 - Stoke Mandeville special 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.