The Queen’s Baton Relay arrives in Edinburgh on 14 June and the baton bearers will carry it around the city on its journey towards the opening ceremony in Glasgow on 23 July.
Today, nominees from across Edinburgh and the Lothians found out that they have been chosen to be a baton bearer.
Up to 4,000 batonbearers from all 32 local authorities in Scotland have been notified by email this morning that they will join the relay in more than 400 Scottish communities for 40 days.
Community batonbearers have been selected by independent panels, who have considered people’s achievements against the odds, their mentoring of younger people, contributions to community and youth sport, and those who make a difference through volunteering and community support.
For the first time in the history of any Queen’s Baton Relay, all 545 secondary schools in Scotland were invited to nominate a pupil to participate as a batonbearer.
Councillor Steve Cardownie, Edinburgh’s Festivals & Events Champion, said: “We are thoroughly looking forward to welcoming the baton to Edinburgh – and to Scotland – on 14 June. We have over 100 batonbearers, including a pupil from every secondary school, each of whom will play an important part in the celebrations taking place throughout the day. We’ve worked very hard with the organisers to send the baton to as many parts of the city as possible and to allow batonbearers to run through their own communities, cheered on by their friends and family. I was fortunate enough to be on the selection committee for Edinburgh and was hugely impressed with the standard of nominations. I have no doubt our batonbearers will do themselves and their city proud.”
Chosen for her inspirational work volunteering and raising money for children affected by cancer, Lynne McNicoll, founder of the Edinburgh charity It’s Good 2 Give, commented: “I’m really delighted to be chosen to be a batonbearer. Welcoming the Baton to Scotland will an amazing opportunity and I just can’t wait. I’m currently in training for a 5K race which will hopefully help me get fit in time for the Queen’s Baton Relay!”
Kerry Renwick, selected batonbearer for Wester Hailes Education Centre, commented on being selected for her school: “I am thrilled to have this amazing opportunity to be a baton bearer. It is an inspiring challenge and one I never thought I’d get to be part of. Now I am experiencing it and that is unbelievable. I have watched the baton travel through other countries and it’s exciting to think that will be me! I feel honoured to be a part of the Commonwealth Games and leave an encouraging legacy for all those pupils in my school to strive for the best.”
Information on all of the chosen batonbearers for Edinburgh and the Lothians will be released nearer the time of the relay. But here is information on some of the selected candidates notified today:-
Lynne McNicoll
Lynne has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for children affected by cancer in the Edinburgh area with her charity, It’s Good 2 Give. Her dedication for raising money for others is 24/7, 365 days a year. She volunteers every minute, takes no pay and is a pillar of the Edinburgh community.
Kerry Renwick
16 year old Kerry has been nominated to represent her school, Wester Hailes Education Centre. She encourages others to be part of sport as well as leading in sport herself, as a member of a number of sports clubs including hockey, basketball and dance. Staff at the school credit Kerry for leading dance lessons with local primary school pupils, helping young pupils get involved in physical activity in a way that is fun and accessible, giving young people confidence in their own abilities no matter what level they are at.
Frances Smith
Frances undertakes an enormous amount of voluntary work for Warrender Baths Club as its Swimming Convenor. She gives her time to encouraging swimmers into the sport, running development squads, expert coaching, and organising competitions for young swimmers. She is regarded as a mentor and role model for swimmers past and present right across the city and has been actively involved in the swimming careers of children from their introduction to the Club right through to International and World level.
Dean Reilly
Dean was diagnosed with MS in October 2012, after losing the sight in one eye. Since then, he has raised awareness of MS and championed the services offered at the MS Therapy Centre which supports Edinburgh and the Lothians. He has taken up boxing, completed 4 10k runs, the Mighty Deer Stalker and the Edinburgh marathon, raising over £5,000 for the centre. He also writes a blog, raising awareness of MS, and has remained incredibly positive and pro-active since being diagnosed.
Karen Eastwood
Karen has given her life to teaching and enabling children with specific needs, through her profession and on a voluntary basis. As a teenager she spent every summer volunteering at camps for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. As a teacher she arranged for and took a group of deaf pupils and young leaders to visit schools in South Africa. In 2011 Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer and 6 months later, she ran her first Edinburgh marathon.
Follow the build up to the Edinburgh leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay on social media using the hashtag #EdinBatonRelay.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
