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Commonwealth Games baton relay 'once in a lifetime' chance says bearer

BBC BaileyBBC
Bailey, who has cerebral palsy, carried the baton as a way of showing others "not to worry what other people may think of the way they walk"

A Commonwealth Games baton bearer who took part in the country-wide relay ahead of this summer's event has said it was an "amazing opportunity".

Bailey, who has cerebral palsy, carried the baton at the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln on Sunday.

Thousands of people will take it along its entire 294-day route, finishing in host city Birmingham on 28 July.

"It's sort of a once in a lifetime opportunity you have to take," 15-year-old Bailey said.

"I hope me doing it can also show others to have confidence in themselves and not to worry what other people may think of the way they walk or the way that they move around," he added.

His mother, Julie, said the family were "incredibly proud".

Getty Images Max DraperGetty Images
Max Draper said carrying the baton was "amazing"
Juliet Nabaweesi holding up the Ugandan flag
Juliet Nabaweesi holding the Ugandan flag as The Queen's Baton Relay visits Grantham

The baton is visiting a number of English regions during its tour, which has also seen it be carried in other Commonwealth nations.

It was welcomed in Lincoln on Sunday, and visited Skegness, Boston and Grantham on Monday.

So far, it has travelled by foot, canoe and speedboat.

Getty Images Nitin Ruda being handed the baton by James MacLeodGetty Images
In Grantham, James MacLeod hands over the torch to Nitin Ruda, who said he "absolutely loved" the experience
Linda Baxter holding torch
Martial arts head coach Linda Baxter said she hoped the relay would shine a light on Boston

Nitin Ruda, from Leicester, carried the baton in Grantham on Monday and said he "loved" the experience.

"As soon as we went past that church, the school kids cheering you on, dogs barking. It was absolutely amazing."

Mr Ruda said he was nominated because of his support for young children "doing Indian cultural dancing" at his temple.

L/Cpl Juliet Nabaweesi, from Uganda, is based at the Kendra barracks in Cottesmore, Leicestershire.

She said: "We're here to represent the Commonwealth countries and the Army".

Getty Images The torch on a boatGetty Images
The baton was carried on a moving speedboat while in Lincolnshire

Linda Baxter, a martial arts coach, said she was "absolutely overwhelmed and speechless" to be a baton bearer in Boston on Monday.

"The smile on my face said it all.

"It's an honour to do but it's an honour for it to come to Boston.

"It's great that my team have come along and they're here to support me and cheer me on. That means so much."

Getty Images Roger Graves holding the baton to cheering childrenGetty Images
Fundraiser Roger Graves is greeted by cheering children as he holds the torch in Grantham

Janet Inman, who was one of eight people to carry it on Sunday, said she was "really pleased" to have been selected and it was a "great honour".

"I'm not carrying it very far, so I'm going to walk nice and steadily and enjoy every minute of it," she said.

Max Draper, from Nottingham, said it was "amazing".

"Seeing everyone was incredible, all the support. I didn't realise there'd be so many people out here.

"It shows how much the country cares about its sport and the Commonwealth Games."

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