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Residents at Hillside Lodge Care Home in Berwick have created their own Olympic torch and over 70 local schools, charities, businesses and community groups have been involved in a month-long torch relay, following an invitation from the care home on social media.
On 17th June, residents visited Tweedmouth Prior Park First School and handed the torch to pupils to start the relay. Some of the community participants include: Berwick Cancer Cars, The Grove School, Border Links, Berwick Animal Rescue Kennels, Holy Trinity First School, Berwick Community Trust, HospiceCare North Northumberland, Berwick Museum and Art Gallery and Berwick Youth Project.
On 20th July, the torch returned to Hillside Lodge Care Home, carried by members of the ‘Tweed Striders’ running club, who were welcomed by residents and members of the community who took part in the relay. Andrew Smith from Berwick Cancer Cars piped the runners in on his bagpipes.
The torch relay kicked off the care home’s ‘Going for Gold’ Olympic activities which included a sports day held on 26th July where residents competed in a series of events designed for all abilities to take part in, including ‘oeuf et cuillère’ races, armchair archery, balloon volleyball and tabletop hockey.
The care home’s Magic Moments Coordinator, Rachael Howlett, said: “We were overwhelmed by the response from local people who wanted to be part of our community Olympic torch relay after I posted an invitation on the ‘Berwick-upon-Tweed Notice Board’ Facebook group to see if anyone would like to join in. The residents here at Hillside Lodge have been following the torch’s progress as people have been sending in pictures of its journey through Berwick and the surrounding areas. It’s fantastic to have so many locals getting involved, and it’s been a great way to keep our residents connected to the people and places in their community.”