Young Calibre member, Madison Lawson (aged 9), her Mum, Tracy, and younger sister Iona were joined by Calibre volunteer, Sophie Wyle (aged 16) at the Paralympic Flame Festival on Tuesday 28^th August. All of them were invited to participate in the ticket-only event that heralded the start of the Paralympic Torch’s journey from Aylesbury to London.

Speaking to Sophie afterwards, it was clear that they had all been part of something very special. Sophie explained that, before the big day itself, she had gone to the lantern making workshop held at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, where she created one of the stunning lanterns that was held aloft as they processed around the Stadium. Each of the various colours represented a particular country involved – the orange of Sophie’s lantern representing Wales.

Everyone was buzzing!

At the event Sophie, Madison and everyone else not only paraded around the stadium, but also acted as a ‘guard of honour’ for the lighting of the cauldron. Sophie said that the atmosphere was amazing as the event got underway, “everyone was buzzing”! To be a part of such a once in a lifetime event was very special to all of those involved. “We also got to keep the t-shirt, wristband and the lanterns!” Sophie explained, so that she will always have very special mementos of the day.

A big thank you goes to Lloyds TSB (an official sponsor of the London 2012 Paralympic Games) who generously offered Calibre the chance to be involved. They were also behind the Paralympic Community Fund that is offering two donations of £2,500 to disability organisations in the Aylesbury area that work with young people, decided by a public vote at the Flame Festival.