All fired up to welcome the torch

LONDON’S leading first aid charity is preparing to support events being staged this weekend to celebrate the arrival of the Beijing Olympic Flame.

Members of St John Ambulance London (Prince of Wales’s) District will be providing first aid support as the torch travels from Wembley in Brent to the O2 arena in Greenwich on Sunday 6 April.

The charity will be in attendance at events in Ladbroke Grove, Whitechapel, Stratford and at the O2 arena.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay will pass through ten London boroughs and will be carried through the city by 80 torchbearers including Dame Kelly Holmes, Sir Trevor McDonald and England cricketer Kevin Pieterson. Upon arrival at the O2 arena, the flame will be used to light the Olympic Cauldron during a spectacular grand finale.

Commenting on the event, Len Bamber, CEO St John Ambulance London (Prince of Wales’s) District, said: “We very much look forward to being a part of the celebrations to welcome the Beijing Olympic Flame to London on Sunday.

“An event such as this will inevitably draw large crowds but our volunteers are fully briefed and ready to offer first aid support throughout the day.”

The torch will begin its journey in Wembley before travelling through Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill Gate, Oxford Street, China Town, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, past the Southbank Centre, Somerset House and St Pauls Cathedral and through Potters Fields, Tower Bridge, Whitechapel Road, Stratford and Canary Wharf to Greenwich.

Volunteers from St John Ambulance London (Prince of Wales’s) District can frequently be seen in the community providing first aid support at events such as the Flora London Marathon, Notting Hill Carnival and venues including Lords, Wembley and Twickenham.

The organisation also delivers first aid training courses for businesses and individuals across the capital.