Name: Robert Guthrie

From: Thornhill

How long have you been collecting? 3 years

How many pins do you own? 56

It was one of the strangest of places that I first discovered Olympic pin trading. I was at one of the music groups that I went to every Thursday evening and at break time, some glistening pieces of colourful metal stuck onto a lanyard hanging from someone's pocket caught my eye. I saw that they had Olympic rings and logos on them and so I knew that they would be relating to the Olympics - but why pins?

At the weekend, I searched the internet for more on pins and the Olympics given I just couldn't understand why pins would have significance like this with the Olympics. I found that pin trading was the 'unofficial spectator sport of the Olympic and Paralympic Games' which  I read from a particular website, that had been started up as a resource for pin trading and told you more about it. From that, and also contacting the creator, I was able to gain more valuable facts.

I later discovered that sponsors gave out pins if they were Olympic partners and thanks to this I have been trading pins with people all over the world since I got my first pin from one Olympic sponsor.

I have made some great friends through the obsession and my collection is gradually growing. I am so happy I discovered this amazing hobby and have managed to tell friends and family about it.

Thanks to all the people who have inspired me to collect pins. It is something I definitely won't regret.