Published on:
04
April 2012
A 12-year-old girl, and Ironman triathlete and a soldier who has recently returned from Afghanistan are amongst Clackmannanshire's Torchbearers who will carry the Olympic Flame this summer.
Seven inspirational Torchbearers will carry the Flame through Alloa on Wednesday 13th June as part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. The route starts outside Alloa Athletic's stadium in Clackmannan Road, and goes past Forth Valley College, along King Street and past the train station, towards Alloa Town Hall, finishing at Marshill.
And in addition, four inspiring people from Clackmannanshire will be carrying the Olympic Flame elsewhere in Scotland as part of the Torch Relay.
One of the Torchbearers carrying the Flame through Alloa on 13th June will be Robbie Donaldson (28) from Keirhill Farm, Balfron. Robbie has recently returned from a 6 month tour in Afghanistan with the 'The Highlander's' 4 SCOTS.
His hobbies revolve around sport and outdoor activities. He especially likes doing endurance events, mostly in the Highlands, both for fun and to raise money for charities. He's a member on the Board of Trustees for the Dougie Dalzell Memorial Trust, set up in memory one of his good friends who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010. He was at school, university and then joined the Army with Dougie. The charity raises money to help wounded soldiers be able to afford bespoke pieces of equipment or go on trips. So far the Trust has to raised over £250,000.
Robbie said: "I must mention my wonderful girlfriend Caroline, who unbeknown to me entered me into the competition to be a Torchbearer while I was away on operations last year. It must have been really hard for her, and she was fantastically supportive while I was away and the fact that I'm doing this is a result of her selflessness. She's a very special girl who I love very much, so I'd like to say a big thank you to her."
Another of the Alloa Torchbearers is Gerry Malone (48) from Coatbridge who was nominated by his wife because of the fantastic work he has done raising money for meningitis charities after the couple lost their son at the age of two to the disease.
Over the years he has raised £20,000 for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (Yorkhill), through fundraising events and running the New York Marathon, twice, and marathons in London, Dublin and Glasgow.
He is married with three children and the couple have four grandchildren.
"I am so excited I can't wait. I think I've told everyone a hundred times over since it was announced. I'm really looking forward to running in Alloa," said Gerry.
The third Alloa Torchbearer to be confirmed is Lesley Finn (36) from Houston, Renfrewshire.
Lesley was nominated to be a Torchbearer by her friend, Joanne Stewart, because of her extensive successful fundraising activities.
Lesley's fundraising began when her daughter, Megan, now aged eight, was diagnosed with a renal tumour at the age of three. The tumour is now in remission, although Megan still undergoes regular check-ups.
This sparked a fundraising campaign by Lesley and her husband Martin (37). Between them in the past five years they have raised £27,000, the money split between the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (Yorkhill) and CLIC Sargent.
They have held various fundraising events and taken part in last year's 10k Scottish Run, with several more runs lined up between May and September this year..
"Our fundraising for charity is on going," said Lesley.
As well as Megan, the couple have two other daughters, Alex (10) and Jessica, aged 5.
Dave Richards, who works in the IT service at Clackmannanshire Council, was nominated by his daughter Rebecca for the coaching, motivation and encouragement he gives to others.
Dave's involvement in the Olympic Torch Relay will be the day before it comes to Alloa, on Tuesday 12th June, and he has been allocated to carry the Torch in Brechin.
Dave, who lives in Stirling, said, "Sport is a big part of my life and this is obviously a huge honour and definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm always keen to keep on doing something that seems just out of my reach."
The 49-year-old, who has worked with the Council for 19 years, began participating in triathlons eight years ago, becoming a member of Stirling Triathlon Club. He now coaches youngsters in swimming at the club.
Last year he took part in two Ironman distance events in Austria and Henley and his plans for this year include participating in half Ironman challenges in Barcelona in May and Alp D'huez, France in July.
His next big ambition is to represent GB at a European or World triathlon event.
Head coach at Alloa's Dojo, Josh Gavin (45) will be carrying the Olympic Torch in Cumbernauld later in the morning of Wednesday 13th June, after it has been to Alloa. Josh has been involved in martial arts since he was eight-years-old and is a 6th Dan and was World Masters Champion in judo at the age of 35. He founded the JSJ Judo Club 15 years ago and opened his martial arts academy in Alloa two years ago.
He coaches around 300 youngsters at his Alloa Dojo, some of whom are members of the British team. He was nominated to be a Torchbearer by the British Judo Association and said: "I was really pleased when I was nominated and even more pleased when I found out I had been chosen. It's such an honour."
It was while coaching at the Dojo two years ago that Josh collapsed and was unconscious for two hours. He was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour and underwent a nine hour operation to have it removed. He continues to undergo treatment, but can still be found at the Dojo most days and is determined to stay fit and healthy.
Josh is married to Anne Marie and they have three children Stacey (16), Shaun (12) and Josh (6).
Mitch Graham (19) from Sauchie will be carrying the Torch in Stirling, also on the morning of Wednesday 13th June, after it has been to Alloa.
Mitch, who is 6'4", has taken a year out of playing basketball to study for his 'A' levels. He is currently at home for Easter in Sauchie with his family. He is a pupil at the Mary Hare Boarding School in Newbury. Mitch, is the youngest of four children. His parents are Stephen and Christine Graham and he has a brother David (30) and sisters Ann-Louise (33) and Emma-Jayne (21).
Mitch is profoundly deaf from birth, and has always had a great aptitude for sport. When he was younger his father took him along to Alloa Rugby Club, where he is one of the coaches. Mitch played rugby for a while, but preferred basketball.
Mitch was spotted by a scout from the Reading Rockets at school and he became a member of the under-16 team. The following year took a year out of the sport to study for his GCSEs.
He returned to the sport the following year at under-18 level and went along to the trials at the Peak Centre in Stirling and was selected for the Scotland Under-18 Basketball Team - an able-bodied team.
He was also selected for the GB Deaf Basketball Team and took part in the World Championships in Poland when he was 17.
He has again taken a year out of the sport to concentrate on his A Levels and will leave school in June, when he hopes to find a job in engineering.
He was selected to carry the Olympic Torch after being nominated by his brother David.
His father Stephen said: "He will carry the torch in Stirling on June 13 - the following day he is due to sit his final maths A level exam in Newbury, 430 miles away."
Rebecca Watson (12) from Forestmill will be carrying the Torch in Dundee on Tuesday 12th June. An S1 pupil at Lornshill Academy, she was selected via the Get Set Network in recognition of her extensive volunteering which began at Clackmannan Primary School, and something she has taken on into her secondary school life. She coaches the pre-school tennis club weekly, teaching eight 3-6 year olds. She is also a member of the 3rd Alloa Rainbows, where she also helps out on their weekly meetings and classes.
Rebecca heard that her nomination had been successful in late January, early February, but was unable to tell anyone until the official announcement.
Rebecca said: "I couldn't even tell my two sisters, in case any of them told their friends. I am so excited about carrying the torch. I am hoping to be able to get my friends, and family to come along and see me on the day."
She has two sisters Emma aged 9, and Rhona, aged 6. Her parents are James and Denise.
As well as coaching tennis, Rebecca's other hobbies include dancing, athletics, swimming and the Girl Guides.