Paralympic torch blazes a trail through Durham City (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Paralympic torch blazes a trail through Durham City
8:00am Saturday 18th August 2012 in News
By Mark Tallentire, Reporter (Durham)
TORCH DELIGHT: Craig and Lindsey Thirkell, of Willington, with their six month old daughter, Emilia, take a look at a Paralympic Games torch at Sainsbury’s in Belmont, Durham City
THE Paralympic torch visited the region yesterday, as a North-East company pledged to donate £10 to charity for every gold medal Team GB wins at the upcoming games.
The torch was at Sainsbury’s, in Belmont, Durham City, as part of the Paralympic Torch Experience, which will see it visit 61 Sainsbury’s stores across the country in ten days – ending in Glasgow, on Wednesday.
Shoppers held the torch and posed for photographs.
Store manager Graeme Turner said: “We’ve really enjoyed playing our part in raising awareness of the London 2012 Paralympic Games in Durham.
“For our customers it’s a oncein- a-lifetime opportunity for them to see the torch and feel the buzz of the Paralympic Games, which is now only a few weeks away.”
The torch will be one of 620 used in a relay beginning at Stoke Mandeville, in Aylesbury, on Tuesday, August 28, and ending at the Olympic Park, in east London, 24 hours later.
Other events will be held across the country from Friday, with the only event in the North- East and North Yorkshire at the Beamish Museum, near Stanley , County Durham.
A flame celebration will be held at the outdoor museum on Friday, from 5pm to 8pm. The event is sold out.
Meanwhile, Billingham -based transport, warehousing and distribution firm Nicholson’s Transport has promised to donate £10 for every gold medal won by Team GB at the Paralympics to the Durham Area Disability Leisure Group.
The group provides sports and leisure activities for disabled children.
Lynne Watson, its co-ordinator, said: “This is such a generous offer. I think Team GB is expected to get more than 60 medals, so it’s a significant pledge.”
David Nicholson, managing director of Nicholson’s Transport, said: “After Team GB’s success in the Olympics, the whole country is in a sporting mood and we thought this was a fantastic way of supporting an inspirational charity. It’s great to know that every single gold medal that Team GB wins will be helping the group and I hope other businesses, and our customers, get behind us by pledging their support too.”
The Paralympic Games take place from August 29 to September 9.
