Arun torchbearers warm up for Olympic glory

Littlehampton teenager Sophie Hind will be one of the lucky few from the town to be carrying the torch in the Arun district.

The 15-year-old will be running with the torch through Bognor Regis’ High Street on Monday (July 16), after being nominated for her “above-and-beyond” commitment to dance in the area.

Sophie, a student at St Philip Howard Catholic High School, in Barnham, said: “I’m getting really excited about it now.

“It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I can’t wait. All my friends and family will be coming out to watch me.”

The other torchbearer from the Gazette’s patch to be running in the Arun district is Chris Lynch, chairman of the Angmering Youth Forum

The 57-year-old, from Angmering, will be jogging with the torch through South Bersted, also on Monday afternoon. He was selected through the community nomination scheme run by Olympic Games’ sponsor, Lloyds TSB.

Also taking part in the area’s relay route is Littlehampton’s own Steph Blondell, 18, of Parkside Avenue. She will complete a stretch through Chichester, shortly before 1pm, in North Street.

Rising rugby star Lauren Fenwick, a year-11 student from The Angmering School, who lives in Ferring, will be taking part in the torch relay in Eastbourne on Tuesday (July 17), after she was nominated for her outstanding bravery saving a drowning woman in the sea near Goring, and her commitment to sport.

Katie Smith, of Ash Lane, Rustington, is the last torchbearer from the area to take part in the historic route. She will complete her 300m stretch in St Leonards, East Sussex, later that day.

For more about the area’s torchbearers, along with a full picture spread on the Arundel torch relay, pick up a copy of the Gazette on Thursday (July 19).