Published on Wednesday 29 June 2022
(Photo caption: Batonbearer, Martin Cook, with some of his class at Victoria School)
Get ready to cheer as the Queen’s Baton Relay comes to the region on Monday 4 July on its final leg to Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
A total of 15 especially chosen local Batonbearers will be sharing the honour of carrying the Baton from Shore Road in Poole to Bournemouth’s Pier Approach, finishing on a high with the Baton flying down the Pier to Shore Zip Line.
The Batonbearers have been chosen because they are inspirational, have made a positive impact within their community and have made a meaningful contribution to sport, education, the arts, culture or charity. They positively challenge others to achieve their best.
Martin Cook, Senior Teaching Assistant in PE at Victoria School in Poole, began as a parent volunteer over 20 years ago and gradually moved through the school in various roles. He spoke about his pride at being selected:
"It’s a great privilege to represent the school and the young people that go on to do great things. It means the world to me that someone thinks I am doing a little bit of good!
Ray Lawrence, Headteacher at Victoria School said:
"Victoria School is proud and delighted that our long serving Senior Teaching Assistant, Martin has been awarded this fantastic opportunity to carry the Baton and to be able to highlight the importance of sport for disabled children within the school curriculum. I hope that many will be inspired by this achievement"
Back in 2004, John Churchill joined as a volunteer helper at Mudeford Community Infants School, and he also joined the Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service as a volunteer when he retired as a magistrate in 2000. He continues to help the professional case managers with the guidance and rehabilitation of young people as well as working two days a week at Mudeford Community Infants School.
John said:
"My first reaction was absolute shock and amazement at being selected. Firstly, I was humbled at being considered part of such a select group of people and secondly, I was shockingly proud - it gave me a huge lift and I thought I had won gold!"
Daniel Pope, Headteacher at Mudeford Community Infants School said,
"John has been an absolutely incredible servant to our community. His commitment is astonishing and the deep care he has for the school and our children is something to behold. He is dearly loved and treasured by all who have the pleasure to be in his company."
Councillor Jane Kelly, Cabinet Member for Communities, Health and Leisure, said:
"It is an enormous honour for the Queen’s Baton Relay to pass through our beautiful region during this Jubilee year and I would encourage everyone to come out and line the route along the seafront to see the baton and cheer on our inspiring local community heroes."
The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay started at Buckingham Palace on 7 October 2021, when Her Majesty The Queen placed her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton and passed it to four-time Paralympic gold medallist and Team England athlete Kadeena Cox, who had the honour of being the first of thousands of Batonbearers to carry the Baton through the Commonwealth.
More information about the route can be found here Bournemouth (birmingham2022.com)