People across Perth and Kinross will today (Monday 31 March) learn they will be carrying the Queen’s Baton when it comes to the region this July.
They are amongst the thousands of batonbearers who have been chosen as a thank you from communities all across Scotland to the extraordinary individuals who make a positive difference to the lives of others.
Up to 4,000 batonbearers from all 32 local authorities will join the relay in more than 400 communities for 40 days, in what is the most engaging relay the nation has ever seen.
Community batonbearers have been selected by independent panels, who have considered people’s achievements against the odds, their mentoring of young people, contributions to community and youth sport, and those who make a difference through volunteering and community support.
The Queen’s Baton journey has been developed to share the excitement of Scotland’s countdown to the Commonwealth Games with as many people as possible.
The relay will reflect the important role of sport by visiting schools, sporting facilities and leisure centres, encouraging communities to get behind Team Scotland, get involved with the Games and use its profile to get more people participating in sport.
Perth and Kinross will welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay at communities from Blair Atholl to Auchterarder in July.
The baton will visit Blair Atholl, Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Birnam, Blairgowrie and Rattray, Perth, Methven, Crieff, Muthill, Gleneagles and Auchterarder on 4 and 5 July 2014. The detailed route and full programme of events will be announced nearer the time.
Some of the Perth and Kinross community batonbearers include:
Kerry Ferguson, Kinross
Kerry has been a volunteer in youth sports for the past three years having maintained a primary school multi-sport club before progressing on to gymnastics coaching. She has volunteered at various Scottish Gymnastics National competitions and has achieved her 500 hour Saltire Award for volunteering in sport. Kerry continues to be a role model in her local community.
James Boyle, Perth
James has been an active volunteer with the Barnardo’s Hopscotch youth befriending service for seven years. He works with young people with determination to find ways of engaging and supporting them to enjoy new experiences. James brings to Hopscotch is valuable experience as a volunteer football coach.
Doug Sutherland, Scone
Not one to let retirement slow him down Doug has spent the past five years campaigning and fundraising to create a new ball park in Scone. He campaign was successful raising £120,000 to develop the park which is now well used by the local community for both ad hoc kickabouts as well as organised training and matches.
Kirsty Eadie, Perth
For the past four years Kirsty has volunteered with SHIP and SPLASH, working with children with additional needs. She has also completed 200 volunteer hours in sport with the Ultimate Sports Leaders Programme as well as being a volunteer coach with Perth under 13 Netball Club who won at the Scottish Cup Final. All of this while studying, working and playing netball herself.
Helen Gloistein, Perth
Helen is a keen skier and has raced on a regular basis on the dry slopes. Despite a knee injury which prevented her from skiing for 18 months she continued to support her school team, of which she is the captain, by attending weekly sessions and encouraging and supporting the rest of the team. She also undertook the 20km Cycletta Challenge last September in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Councillor Ian Miller, Leader of the Council, said: “I want to congratulate everyone who has been chosen to carry the Queen’s Baton during its journey through Perth and Kinross. This honour is a fitting tribute to the many ways in which these individuals contribute to their local communities every day.
“I have no doubt that all of the batonbearers will enjoy their experience, and will be enthusiastically welcomed in local communities as they help to bring the Queen’s Baton towards its final destination in Glasgow for the 20th Commonwealth Games. Any groups who wish to make the batonbearer experience even more memorable by organising activities to celebrate the Queen’s Baton Relay can apply to the Council’s Community Challenge Fund for support to help celebrate 2014.”
