The Olympic Torch comes to Malvern

06 June 2012

300 pupils from Malvern College lined the Wells Road to cheer on 79 year old, Olympic torch-bearer, Bob Woodward as he carried the flame on the Malvern leg of its journey across the country to London. It was an early start for the College pupils but the wait was almost the best part as the gathering crowds enjoyed the summer sunshine and the sense of community generated by the occasion. The next leg of the journey is to Wales at Cardiff. All torch-bearers have been chosen for their special association with sport and for their contribution to sport in their own communities throughout the country. Our own torch-bearer Susannah Hunt, a pupil at Malvern College, carries the torch in Milton Keynes on 9th July. Bob's nomination story "Lloyds TSB, proud Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, has selected Bob Woodward to be an Olympic Torchbearer in recognition of the difference he has made to children and families around the UK, through his charity work. Bob began his charity work almost 40 years ago, in 1974, immediately after his son Robert aged 8 was diagnosed with cancer. After setting up the first `Home from Home` in the UK for families suffering form cancer Bob founded The CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood) Trust in 1976 (now merged with Sargent to become CLIC Sargent). Robert died in 1977 which spurred Bob on to cover the whole of the UK before setting up CLIC International with Mikhail Gorbechev as President. After losing Robert to cancer Bob lost a second son Hugh aged 4, who was Downs Syndrome. This encouraged Bob to make great efforts for disabled children in Hugh`s memory. Bob, now in his 80th year, has helped raise around £100million for a huge variety of charity initiatives for children."