By Tom Degun

paralympic torch_relay_10-01-12January 10 - Tier One London 2012 sponsor Sainsbury's are set to offer the last opportunities to nominate people to carry the Paralympic Flame during the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.


Sainsbury's are one of the three Presenting Partners for the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay along with BT and Lloyds TSB.

All three of the Presenting Partners are searching for inspirational Torchbearers, to work in teams of five, to carry the Paralympic Flame during an overnight Torch Relay from Stoke Mandeville to the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony on August 29 at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

Sainsbury's will launch its public nomination process tomorrow in what will be the last of the three campaigns run by the Presenting Partners.

The campaign will give customers in its stores across the UK an opportunity to nominate a team or individual from their local community who they feel has inspired them.

The campaign will run until February 14 and successful nominees will have displayed the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality to make a difference or push the boundaries of what is achievable.

"All around the UK there are teams or individuals that embody the Paralympic values and make a difference to the lives of others," said London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

"The London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay aims to recognise the contribution of some of these amazing people.

"The Sainsbury's nomination programme is the final opportunity to put people forward, so if there is a team or individual that you feel deserves recognition for their contribution, then I would encourage you to nominate them."

BT launched its nomination campaign on December 13 and has received over 500 nominations so far.

The campaign will run until January 20.

Meanwhile, Lloyds TSB ran its campaign from October 18 to November 22, during which it received thousands of nominations.

The London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay programme will begin on August 24 with the first Flame lighting event to be held in London.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff will each host a Flame lighting moment and an evening Flame Festival.

BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury's will also select people to carry the Flames lit in Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh during their evening Flame Festivals.

A special ceremony and final Flame Festival will then be held in Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual home of the Paralympic Movement, during which all four flames will be brought together to create the Paralympic Flame before being carried to the Olympic Park for the Opening Ceremony in an overnight relay.

The Torch Relay will also include nominations from the British Paralympic Association (BPA) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

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