THE COVENTRY Flame of Friendship Relay ended with a celebration last Wednesday after being passed from school to school since April 21.
The relay has linked 54 Coventry schools every day for the last 12 weeks and allowed more than 20,000 young people to get involved in a project which promotes Olympic legacy, physical activity and wellbeing.
The ‘flame of friendship’ was passed from school to school using an original 1948 Olympic torch which was accompanied by a London 2012 Teamwork baton given to Coventry Ambassador volunteers during London 2012.
The celebration took place at Xcel Leisure Centre in Canley, with schools and pupils who participated in the relay attending.
Lord Mayor of Coventry, Coun John McNicholas, said said the 54 schools involved had done a ‘marvellous job’.
“They have created links between schools and given us all something to smile about.
“As a City of Peace and Reconciliation, we bring people together all around the world, and by taking part in the relay the children have helped make that work.”
Coun Kamran Caan, cabinet member public health and sport, congratulated everyone for completing the relay, praising the organisers, staff and children for making it such a success.
“It has been a great way to tie together our upcoming major events in the city and builds the excitement for the International Children’s Games and Commonwealth Games in the city.”
The relay idea was driven by primary schools including Howes Primary School, one of the lead Coventry Young Ambassador schools, and EnV, which manages the Coventry Ambassador volunteer programme.
Organisers David Boughey, managing director, EnV and Rebecca Bollands, deputy head at Howes Primary School, said: “It has been fantastic to see Coventry schools participating in the torch relay.
“They have demonstrated the Olympic value of Friendship and have been able to start reconnecting after many months of being apart.”
