Lucky nominees from across Edinburgh found out today that they have been chosen to be a baton bearer on 14 June when the Queen’s Baton Relay reaches the city on the first day of its Commonwealth Games journey around Scotland – and among Edinburgh’s representatives will be Dean Reill, champion fundraiser of Leith’s MS Therapy Centre.
Up to 4,000 batonbearers from all 32 local authorities in Scotland were notified by email this morning that they will join the relay in more than 400 Scottish communities for 40 days.
Community baton bearers were 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.
Cllr 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 baton bearers, 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 baton bearers 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 baton bearers will do themselves and their city proud.”
Among the Edinburgh citizens receiving the happy news today was MS Therapy Champion Dean Reilly.
Dean (pictured above) 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 – and he’s just fought Steve ‘Celtic Warrior’ Collins in a fundraising charity boxing match!
Also selected today was Lynne McNicoll (pictured above) , who 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. Lynne volunteers every minute, takes no pay and is a pillar of the Edinburgh community. She said: “I’m really delighted to be chosen to be a baton bearer. Welcoming the Baton to Scotland will an amazing opportunity and I just can’t wait. I’m currently in training for a five kilometer race which will hopefully help me get fit in time for the Queen’s Baton Relay!”
News of more local baton bearers will follow, but in the meantime you can follow the build up to to the Edinburgh leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay on social media using the hashtag #EdinBatonRelay.
To follow the baton visit www.glasgow2014.com/batonrelay
