Solihull's Olympic Torchbearers
On Sunday 1 July, the Olympic Flame comes to Solihull as part of its 8,000 mile journey around the UK.
The Flame will be carried by 8,000 Torchbearers, who all have a special tale to tell. Below are some of the people who have nominated to carry the Flame through our borough – scroll down to find out more about them.
- Glenn Scott
- Tommy Godwin
- Cecilia Mwangi
- Jacob Henry
- Karl Hinett
- Cherry Allsop
- Charlie Mugglestone
- Andy Foote
- Pankaj Taneja
- Robert Ireland
- Tony Worth
- Asunta Wagura
- John Perrott
- Kymrun Dhami
Glenn Scott
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Glenn was born with Talipes (club feet) and had to undergo operations including the removal of his ankle bones to correct the position of his feet. He took up sprinting three years ago and is now Junior National Champion at 100m and 200m, in same the International Paralympic Committee classification as South African 'blade runner' Oscar Pistorius.
He is ranked seventh in the world and hopes to compete for Great Britain at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.
Glenn says: "Being chosen as one of the Torchbearers is an absolute dream come true. Having the chance to hold the Flame and be part of something as massive as the Olympics is really special – to be honest I didn't even dream of being picked. It's amazing and I'm really excited."
Tommy Godwin
Age: 91
Occupation: Retired Olympian
Tommy won two cycling bronze medals – in the 1km time trail and the team pursuit - the last time London hosted the Games in 1948. He then managed the British cycling team at the 1964 Games in Tokyo.
Tommy is still a very important figure in British cycling, recently presenting medals at the cycling test event and locally is president of Solihull Cycling Club. His autobiography was published in 2007.
Tommy says: "I am very, very proud indeed to have been chosen as a Torchbearer, although, at 91 years old, I think I will complete my section as a sturdy walk rather than dashing particularly quickly! I am a proud Olympian and the two medals I won in London in 1948 become more valuable to me every year."
Cecilia Mwangi
Age: 28
Occupation: Network Engineer and part time Anti-jigger campaign ambassador for Ahadi Kenya trust. Was also Miss World Kenya in 2005
Cecilia was Miss Kenya in 2005, but is also a very active anti-jigger campaigner across Kenya. She has used her fame to raise money and encourage businesses to help eradicate jiggers, as well as generally raising awareness on what has long standing problem for people in Kenya.
Cecilia says: "I have watched some of the previous torch bearers handling the torch, plus the launch in Greece and I can imagine the joy one feels when you stand counted to be part of the 8000 making history. Carrying the torch is going to be a breathless moment for me as I will be sunk in joy!"
Jacob Henry
Age: 21
Occupation: Student at Coventry University
Jacob was part of the 2030 Squadron (Elmdon and Yardley) Air Training Corps for seven years. Since leaving the corps, Jacob has remained just as dedicated, by staying involved as a member of staff. He now assists the cadets in all manner of activities, such as sports and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Jacob says: "The part of being a torchbearer I am most looking forward to is that I am going to be part of something that not many people have done and that is going to be watched worldwide."
Karl Hinett
Age: 25
Occupation: Adventure athlete
Ex-soldier Karl suffered 37% burns when his tank was petrol bombed in Iraq, which was followed by five gruelling years of skin grafts and operations at the Burns Unit in Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth hospital. Last year he ran 52 marathons to raise more than £20,000 for the Unit that saved his life.
Karl says: "I am most looking forward to being able to be a part of the London 2012 Olympics in this special way, being greatly honoured to be chosen for this once in a life time opportunity."
Cherry Allsop
Age: 49
Occupation: Titanium production planner for the aerospace industry
For the past decade, Cherry has been a listening Samaritan and was last year elected Chairperson of the Samaritans Correspondence branch - a dedicated branch which specialises in supporting callers by post. This type of support is very therapeutic for the caller giving them more time for thinking and reflection. Cherry also organised the Samaritan Freepost initiative to remove the barrier of postage costs for anyone looking for support.
Cherry says: "I'm most looking forward to the honour of carrying the historic Olympic Flame and for my friends and family to be able to witness our special day."
Charlie Mugglestone
Age: 15
Occupation: Students at King Edward VI School, Aston
Despite suffering from a hole in his heart and from epilepsy, Charlie hasn't let his sporty side be held back. He is captain of his rugby team, a kickboxer and, last year, completed his first Triathlon. He is also a role model outside of sport, regularly helping his neighbours and volunteering for the Cinnamon Trust – a dog walking charity for the elderly and those in hospital.
Charlie says: "What I am most looking forward to doing on the day is taking part in something that will not only unite local communities but also our whole country. I am also looking forward to it of course as it is the chance of a lifetime to be part of something very special that I will never forget."
Andy Foote
Age: 48
Occupation: Trustee of Brain Tumour UK
Andy has worked tirelessly for at least the last twelve years raising funds and awareness for children with brain tumours, after tragically losing his son Joseph to the disease when he was aged only 9. Andy organises a Gala Ball every March as well as running in the London Marathon and more to raise funds and awareness. More details about Andy's work can be found online.
Andy says: "I'm looking forward to seeing the hundreds of Charity friends and supporters cheering me on with the torch. These are the people who have helped me to receive this honour and this is their day too. I'm especially looking forward to the big party afterwards!"
Pankaj Taneja
Age: 31
Occupation: Speciality Dentist in Oral Surgery at the Birmingham Dental Hospital
Pankaj's dental skills have not only made a difference to his patients in the Midlands but also those on the other side of the world; for the past three years, Pankaj has paid to travel to Vietnam annually to give free dental work to orphaned children. He then use social media to share photos of his work and help encourage others to get involved.
Pankaj says: "The part of being a torchbearer that I'm looking forward to is having the privilege to be part of an amazing group of people who get to run with the Olympic torch, with a flame that was lit all the way from Greece, whilst raising awareness for our passions. History in the making!"
Robert Ireland
Age: 61
Occupation: Teacher at Tudor Grange Academy
After a life of service to sport and teaching, Robert is marking his retirement by carrying the Olympic Flame. Robert has been a teacher at Tudor Grange Academy for 39 years and has also had great involvement with local hockey, tennis and athletics, as well as being president of the Solihull Schools Sports Federation. He has also experienced his own slice of Olympic history; he travelled to the 1972 Games in Munich as a member of a PE student party.
Robert says: "I am looking forward to representing all those teachers and coaches who willingly give up their time to help youngsters participate in sporting activities."
Tony Worth
Age: 39
Occupation: Chartered Accountant
Tony took up jogging to help him keep up with his young children and immediately felt the benefits. The stamina-filled Dad now enjoys football, Frisbee, trampolining and golf – or 'hitting' as his two-year-old calls it!
Tony says: "The part I am most looking forward to is holding the lit torch for the first time and thinking that I will be the only person in the whole world at that moment in time doing exactly what I am doing!"
Asunta Wagura
Age: 47
Occupation: Executive Director of Kenya Network of Women with AIDS
Asunta is a HIV and AIDS activist, who has been living with the disease for 26 years. She founded Kenya Network of Women with AIDS – KENWA – and has helped many infected people come to terms with the disease and live dignified lives. KENWA now has clinics in eight constituencies in Kenya – more information is available on their website.
Asunta says: "To carry the Olympic torch and shine is a confirmation that armed with compassion we can overcome fear, that armed with compassion we can overcome stigma, that armed with compassion we can mobilize those that we touch to oppose injustice and encourage compassion. We can shine the hearts of the suffering."
John Perrott
Age: 59
Occupation: Solicitor
John is a successful lawyer who is well-respected among his colleagues, who see him as a role model who can always be approached for advice or support.
John says: "The part of being a Torchbearer I am most looking forward to is being a small part of the world's greatest sporting event."
Kymrun Dhami
Age: 17
Occupation: A-level student
Kymrun is a promising student with a passion for all things Olympics. During the 2008 Games in Beijing, she would regularly get up in the small hours of the morning to watch the action live. She is also sporty herself – with rounders, running, swimming and netball as her activities of choice – and has found time to help tutor fellow students in maths and reading. Finally, following last year's devastating earthquakes in Japan, she helped raise money for those affected.
Kymrun says: "The part of being a Torchbearer I'm most looking forward to is the moment when I'm carrying the Olympic torch for those 300m. I'll be the person representing the Olympic Games and the UK, I can't wait to see everyone's support including all of my family and friends as they line the streets. I know that it will be one of the most amazing once-in-a-lifetime experiences I have and I'm so grateful for it."
Sunday 1 July is the borough's moment to shine, so we hope plenty of you can come out and give the Olympic Flame a big Solihull welcome. More information about the route is available on our Olympics page.
If you are carrying the Olympic Flame through the borough and would like to featured on this page, please email comms@solihull.gov.uk with the subject 'Olympic Torchbearer'.