Dunsford Primary hosts Rio 2016 Paralympics GB Torch Tour

On Tuesday 5 July, the children of Dunsford Community Primary school were honoured to be given the opportunity to hold and carry the Paralympic torch ahead of the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The children carried the torch on a procession around the school in order to raise awareness of the Paralympic movement.  The event was extra special because the torch will not visit any other country outside of Brazil.

Head Teacher Ruth Alphey said, “We were thrilled to be given the chance to take part in something so unique.  Every year group was involved in the torch procession and some of the children were chosen to be torch bearers.  We also had a London 2012 Olympic Torch kindly brought in by local man Colin Edwards, who not only was a torch bearer for the 2012 Games but also runs with a prosthetic running blade after losing the lower half of one leg.  It was wonderful to see the children be inspired by his example and the Paralympic Values of determination, inspiration, courage and equality.”

Just 100 schools in the UK have been selected to host the Paralympic GB Torch Tour, with only 3 other Devon school participating.

The 2016 Para-Olympic Games take place between 7 – 18 September 2016.

The tour presents a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the Paralympic Movement and the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, and to inspire young people through the Paralympic Values: courage, determination, equality and inspiration.