Olympic Torch event over Diamond Jubilee weekend to help raise charity cash

West Norfolk residents are being asked to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee weekend and the Olympics with a ramble to raise money for stroke patients.

The 1948 Torch Trail will be held over four days and 16 locations have already signed-up to take part in sports taster sessions and host a ramble to raise money for the stroke unit at King's Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and the Stroke Association.

Former borough mayor Paul Brandon is co-ordinating the event which aims to raise cash for new equipment at the QEH unit. During his year of office Mr Brandon adopted the Stroke Unit as his chosen charity and has retained strong links ever since.

The weekend will see the 1948 Olympic torch in West Norfolk and is being used to raise awareness of sporting activities available around the borough. It will take a 170-mile route around West Norfolk including 80 villages.

'Hopefully communities of West Norfolk will get behind the project and take part in a ramble. There is even a prize for the dog that raises the most money in sponsorship - it's a real family event,' said Mr Brandon.

The Friends of the stroke unit are hoping to raise �6,000 for a new piece of equipment which is currently on loan and helps patients learning to stand, walk and balance again.

Young patient Tom Scott, of Wormegay, was just 16 when he had a stroke and still attends the QEH for rehabilitation. Now a student at the College of West Anglia, he hopes to be taking part in the ramble himself.

'I think it's a really good idea,' he said.

It is hoped residents from around the borough will take part in a three-mile ramble on the day the torch arrives in their village to raise funds for the charities.

Sixteen of the villages will be holding sports taster sessions organised by Active Norfolk and the Torch Trail is part of a year-long campaign to get residents of the borough involved in exercise.

Anyone taking part in the rambles will also have the chance to have their photo taken with the 1948 Olympic Torch.

'We are very excited to be part of the 1948 Olympic legacy and hope that we can encourage as many people as possible to take part and raise all-important funds,' said George Burroughs, of the Stroke Association.

Entry into the ramble costs �10 for the over 16s and �5 for younger participants and everyone is being urged to get sponsored.

For more details call 01284 749650 or email 1948torchtrails@stroke.org.uk