Flame to light up Leicester for games

Organisers of the Special Olympics are preparing to raise awareness across the country with the launch of a torch relay.

The Special Olympics Flame of Hope will travel from Much Wenlock in Shropshire, home of the modern Olympic Games, through 45 towns and cities to reach Leicester in time for the opening ceremony of the games on July 25.

Hundreds of well-wishers and runners will welcome the torch as it travels more than 800 miles around the UK.

Musicians, sports stars, community leaders and local British Special Olympic team members will then be a part of the final stage of the journey to the opening ceremony at the Walkers Stadium.

It will mark the start of the biggest Games to date, attracting more than 2,700 athletes, 1,200 coaches, 1,500 volunteers and 6,000 families to Leicestershire.

Lawrie McMenemy, chairman of Special Olympics Great Britain, will attend the start of the relay on July 12 as well as the Leicestershire leg.

He said: "People in Leicester are more aware about the Olympics, but this will really raise awareness across Britain. "It provides a great opportunity to get behind the athletes.

"It's such a big thing for the athletes. For some, it will be the biggest event of their lives and you talk to them and their families and see the difference it makes. It's fantastic."

On Sunday, July 12, the lighting ceremony of the Flame of Hope will take place in Much Wenlock and representatives from police forces across the UK will then escort the torch in a series of relays through cities including Leeds, Manchester and London.

Tim Madgwick, acting Assistant Chief Constable of North Yorkshire , is chairman of the torch run. He recently completed a sponsored 40-mile run to raise money for the games.

He says excitement is building up across the country.

"It's a great charity to be involved with and all the athletes here have been excited about the games for ages.

"It's tremendous that Leicester came forward and put such a positive bid together as there's clearly such a lot of support. Everyone knows about the Olympics, everyone knows about the Paralympics and I think it's about time for the people of Britain to know about the Special Olympics."

The torch relay is supported by the National Grid, with workers across the country fund-raising and helping with coaching and mentoring athletes.

Spokeswoman Stephanie van Rosse, who is based at Hinckley, said: "Here, we've got training coaches for the basketball team and we are helping with lots of coaching. This is the 2012 for the athletes."

The flame route

Sunday, July 12 – official torch lighting ceremony at Wenlock Olympian Games, Much Wenlock, Shropshire

Monday, July 13 - Newcastle

Tuesday, July 14 - Leeds

Wednesday, July 15 - Manchester

Thursday, July 16 - Northampton and Slough

Friday, July 17 - London

Final Leg

Wednesday, July 22 - Wymondham, Morley St Botolph, Great Ellingham, Rockland St Peter, Lower Stow Beddon, Great Hockham, Stonebridge, Hockwood Cum Wilton, Chatteris

Thursday, July 23 - Ramsey, Holme, Glatton, Great Gidding / Chapel End, Fayway, Titchmarsh, Thrapston, Woodwell, Panford St John, Isham, Oringbury, Broughton, Scaldwell, Brixworth, Creaton, West Haddon, Watford

Friday, July 24 - Birdingbury, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick, Cubbington, Baginton, Shilton, Bulkington, Brancote, Hinckley

Saturday, July 25 - Opening Ceremony, Walkers Stadium