Name: Dimple Patel

From: Surrey

How long have you been collecting? 2 years

How many pins do you own? 62

I've always collected a few pins here and there from doing voluntary work for smaller charities and my community temples. I was ecstatic when I was chosen to be part of London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games. I was chosen to be placed at the Excel Centre in where I was privileged to see numerous sports in both the games. I was part of the Events Services Team and my role was that of a Staffing Member Team Leader.

During my time it was a privilege to work with so many coaches, athletics, press and broadcast officials. I started my pin collection on Day 4 having seen other Games Makers and it started a buzz in Excel. It became a competition among us Games Makers!

My favourite pin has to be the one given to me by Glen my Black Cab driver who picked me up every day for two weeks to take me for my 5am start to the Excel Centre. We built an amazing relationship, he made a great start to my day and as a parting present gave me his London Cabbie pin which I will treasure forever.

The one that touched me the most was from another Games Maker. Luci and I worked closely at the Olympics but our shift patterns clashed at the Paralympics and I didn't get to see her on the last day of the Games. She left me a parting present of a lovely postcard with an emotional but inspirational message and a Rio 2016 pin as a memento and words of encouragement that I should be part of Rio 2016 too as I would be great at it.

Every pin I collected at the Games has a story behind it, a memory that I will cherish forever and one day hopefully live to tell my grandchildren about. My pin collection will not stop there. I have applied to work at Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and can't wait to be a part of the pin buzz again! In the meantime I will still be on hunt for precious pins that will add to my collection!

London 2012 rocked and my pins are a sentiment to that!