Lloyds TSB Begins Search for London 2012 Paralympic Flame Carriers

Lloyds TSB looking for people who have made a difference in their community 20 Oct 2011 By IPC

"This really is about rewarding your friends, family and neighbours and providing them with the experience of a lifetime."

Lloyds TSB, Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay, has called on the UK to shine a light on people who have made a difference in their community and inspired and supported disabled people, by nominating them to carry the Paralympic Flame.

Nominations are being sought from all corners of the UK, with the public being called upon to recognise the people who have inspired and supported people with disability and made a difference in their community. Anyone can be a Paralympic Torchbearer whether they are disabled or not.

Whether it is a disabled person who has achieved personal success, the teacher who removes barriers to include pupils with a disability in sport, the family member who cares for someone with a disability or the friend who’s raised thousands of pounds for charities that support and empower disabled people, Lloyds TSB is inviting everyone to nominate someone to carry the Paralympic Flame with successful Torchbearers working in teams of five to carry the Flame on its journey to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

To mark the launch of its Paralympic Torch Relay nomination campaign, Lloyds TSB has commissioned a set of striking images featuring inspirational Paralympians and future stars of ParalympicsGB together with the people who have supported and inspired them.

Ade Adepitan, Paralympic Bronze Medallist and Lloyds TSB Ambassador for the London 2012 Games, featured in the photographs: “I was lucky to become a Torchbearer in 2004 when the Olympic Flame passed through London for the first time in 56 years as part of the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay. It was an incredible day and one of my most enduring memories of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

“It’s not just the famous and sporty who can become Torchbearers. I’m really excited about the fact that Lloyds TSB is recognising people who’ve made a difference to the disability community as well. This really is about rewarding your friends, family and neighbours and providing them with the experience of a lifetime.”

“I’m nominating Owen McGhee because he started a charity called the Association of Wheelchair Children with Kay Owen in the mid eighties. Their aim was to empower children with disabilities in East London, by teaching them invaluable wheelchair and independent living skills. The charity changed my life when I was spotted by Owen and Kay being raced through the streets of Plaistow in a shopping trolley by my mates. He encouraged me and many other disabled kids to take up wheelchair sport and to become more independent. Owen McGhee has had a massive impact on the lives of thousands of disabled children in the East end and all over the UK. Even now at sixty years of age, he still plays an active part in the charity which is now called Go kids Go! Don’t miss your opportunity to nominate.”

Richard Whitehead, current 200 metre T42 World Champion also shared his nomination: “There are so many people who have helped me in my Paralympic sporting career but the person who truly stands out for supporting me and inspiring me to achieve my best is David Walkerdine ‘Wack’.“

“’Wack’ has been a massive influence on the athlete I am today! He is an inspiring man who challenges you to be the best you can be regardless of ability or disability (which was important for me as I have no legs from the knees down). I started attending sessions at the Dako Flying Angels gymnastics and vaulting display team in 1982 and the skills and confidence I gained from this experience have lived on within me ever since.”

“Wack created an inclusive environment at the club which meant I was always treated just like ‘one of the boys’. Now in his 80’s, he continues to inspire disengaged youth from all walks of life to transform into athletes and young men with his life changing sessions. Don’t miss your opportunity to recognise the people who have supported you. Make your nomination now.”

Lloyds TSB is inviting the public and customers to nominate the people who have inspired and supported people with disability and made a difference in their community for the once in a lifetime opportunity to be a London 2012 Paralympic Torchbearer.

Nominations can be made online via www.lloydstsb.com/paralympicflame from today 18 October 2011 until 22 November 2011. Successful Torchbearers will work in teams of five to carry the Flame on its journey to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.