Andrew’s Olympian effort sparks Schools’ Torch Relay

Date: 23rd September 2011

Pennine Telecom’s Managing Director, Andrew Roberts put in an Olympian effort to ensure the successful launch of a 440 mile torch relay which will involve over 200 local schools in the run up to the 2012 Games.

Andrew spent the past four months planning last week’s (Thursday 15th September) launch event at Bolton’s Thornleigh College. Over 1,500 children from the Salford Diocese were joined by celebrities and dignitaries including Bolton Wanderers’ manager, Owen Coyle, opera star Sean Ruane and World Freestyle Football champion Dan Magness. The crowd was also addressed via a video message by the diocese’s Bishop Terrence Brain.

Andrew not only pledged Pennine’s support for the event through provision of free two-way radios and other equipment, but donated countless hours of his spare time to ensure its smooth running. “The Torch Relay is such a good way of examining how both sport and religion bring communities together,” he said. “The project will also foster greater understanding by local schoolchildren of the lives and faiths of the countries competing in the 2012 Olympics.”

Explaining his role he said: “I’ve been pretty busy since May, organising the acts and procuring the stage, the PA, a 10 square metre LCD screen, toilets and tenting. I also met with schools, devised the emergency action plan and looked at the logistics of getting 19 coaches and 50 minibuses safely on and off site. It’s been pretty hectic but so worthwhile because it was such a fantastic day.”

The launch signalled the start of a ten month project with each of the 208 schools taking part now set to research a country competing in the Olympics with which they have been twinned. The relay will see a symbolic torch carried from school to school, starting its journey on November 28th at Thorneyholme Primary School, Dunsop Bridge, Clitheroe. As the baton is passed on it works its way to the south of the Diocese, each school will then host an assembly dedicated to the faiths, customs and practices of their adopted country.

Having inspired tens of thousands of schoolchildren the torch will eventually arrive at Salford Cathedral on July 6th 2012 for a special service.

* Follow the progress of the torch at www.relayofprayersalforddiocese.org.uk