A ‘relay’ great day

Christina Shields, the sister of torchbearers Helen Hasson, who paraded the flame through part of Ballykelly, said the atmosphere was “electric” and was keen to thank thank those who cheered Helen despite the fact that they were complete strangers.

Helen was nominated by family friend Joy Bains because she has shown such determination not to allow her disabilities to overcome her.

Indeed, Helen is a bowler with the Team Ulster for the Special Olympics, and was “just ecstatic” when she learned that she was one of the chosen few getting to carry the flame.

“We knew that she was nominated but we kept it secret until we got confirmation, so she was only told at Christmas, but she was just ecstatic,” said Christina, adding: “She was so excited waiting for the van to arrive with her tracksuit that she was up from 9am that morning and as soon as she got her hands on it no one was allowed to touch it.”

Like others who carried the flame, the money was found to buy the torch afterwards, and Christina thanked those who had made donations to help the family buy the iconic piece of memorabilia for Helen.

Young Kiernan McLaughlin from Ardmore was, apparently, so nervous on the morning that he was to carry the flame through Bellarena that he gave his family cause for concern, but, according to his proud mum, Mairead, the nerves evaporated as soon as he met up with the other torchbearers and set off on his adventure.

He was nominated by his mother for the inspiration that he has been despite his disabilities, and because he “is a wee fighter” who does not give up.

“When he was born we were told he would not be able to do very much. We have never treated him any differently to others, and everybody has just been so supportive of him over the years. He was in DC Swimming Club and then we found out about the Foyle Special Olympics and he got in there. It is a fantastic group which has really boosted his confidence,” said Mairead, adding: “He was so excited when he was chosen and every day he was asking when it was going to happen, yet when the day came he was very quiet and I knew he was nervous. He ran through Bellarena at 3.33pm and a lot of the Ardmore Committee went down to support him and when we came back to Ardmore there was a big party for Kiernan. We just want to thank everyone for the support they have shown, it was just fantastic.”

Kiernan is the Honorary Assistant Manager of Ardmore Soccer Club and another feather in his cap is that when he was just 10 years old his design was chosen as the design for the Christmas Card for Matt Baggott the Chief Constable.

Living Kidney transplant donor Iilona Neilson, from Eglinton, said she would “do it again tomorrow” she enjoyed her 600-metre jog on Tuesday with the Olympic flame through Strabane so much.

Describing it as “a great experience” Iilona had an early start, having to check in at 5.26am at the City Hotel for her 8.40am run which took her just three minutes and 51 seconds.

She described the atmosphere and camaraderie on the special Olympic Torch buses as “electric” and said the event had been organised with absolute precision.

Supported on the day by a team of family members, including her children, brother Shayne, mum and her father, Robert, to whom she gave a kidney and who nominated her for her selfless act, after her big moment she was presented with a bouquet by nine-year-old Reece and was congratulated by her children Alexa, Zarra and Noah, who at home later told her: “I was so proud of you today”.

Meanwhile, Tim Shiels, a member of the Cornerstone City Church in Londonderry, who ran with the flame along Limavady Road on Monday, said he intended to sell his torch on eBay to raise money for the church and a cross-community schools project.

He also enjoyed the excitement of the day and spoke about how he had been besieged after his run by people wanting to touch the torch and take photos with it.

“I was tempted to keep it but I would rather see other people get the benefit of it,” he said, adding: “What I think I’ll do is get a professional picture of it for the wall of the church and that can be the keepsake.”

Since his run Tim has been taking the torch on a tour of schools and residential homes so that as many people as possible can see the torch before he parts with it: “I am trying to expose it to as many people as possible. It is a real piece of history and it is important that as many people as possible get to experience it and touch it,” he said.