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Young people in Kent share their Olympic and Paralympic experiences
As the Olympic parade is held today it seemed like a good time to honour two young people from our intergenerational project in Birchington who were torchbearers who carried the Olympic and Paralympic flame. The young people, Joseph and Lauren, were very happy to have taken part and we were delighted to see them honoured.
Joseph has become a very valuable and dedicated member of our project. He is very open and honest about his journey of living with his individual special needs.
On 19 July Joseph ran with the torch in his hometown of Westgate–on–Sea. Members of our project lined the streets to cheer him on.
As he passed us, Joseph proudly held his torch high and gave us all a wave and smile. Afterwards he said: 'That was the most amazing moment of my life! I felt like I was famous!’
'It was amazing to be part of the Paralympics'
On 29 August, Lauren from Ramsgate carried the torch in London.
Lauren wrote: 'I do lots of things with The Children's Society Intergenerational Project in Birchington, where the young and the elderly come together to work on different projects - it’s lots of fun. I belong to a local athletics club, I compete for them at competitions and my favourite event is long jump.
'I was nominated by my school teacher to carry the Paralympics torch. When I found out I had been chosen I was really happy. I got to carry the torch by the London Eye. I was in a team of five torchbearers and we had to carry it for half a mile. I was the first person in my team to carry the torch.
'I felt really proud of this achievement, it was amazing to be part of the Paralympics. There were lots of people cheering for me and taking photos of me. I will remember it forever.'
Congratulations to Joseph and Lauren!
By Ann Rayment, Programme Manager, The Children's Society in Kent
Photo finish
Joseph holds the Olympic torch as he stands with Lauren and staff from our intergenerational project.
Joseph and Lauren stand with the Olympic torch.
Read more and take action
- Learn about The Children's Society in Kent's intergenerational service
- Learn more about The Children's Society in Kent
- Read about another young person's experience carrying the Olympic torch
- Read more stories from our blog
Read more from
Ann Rayment, Programme Manager From the Programme staff
Subjects: Children with disabilities, Olympics and Paralympics
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