Surrey Alumna Becomes Olympic Torchbearer

Thursday 19 July 2012

She was successfully selected to run with the torch on the 11th July through Whitley Road in Reading town centre, as part of the Reading to Salisbury leg of the relay.

The Management and Tourism alumna (2007) works for a charity called Caravan which assists current and former employees of the Grocery Industry in the UK who have fallen on hard times.  Providing financial assistance and advice on a variety of topics, the charity offers a lifeline for those who need help with financial and welfare matters.

With five years’ experience as Fundraising Manager, Kathryn was nominated for her charitable fundraising work, supporting the charity to raise £3.3 million this year.  She was particularly recognised for her efforts in to building awareness of the charity amongst younger members of the industry and for participating in a number of individual fundraising events each year for Caravan.   This year Kathryn took part in her first marathon and she also organises and participates in the annual London to Paris Cycle Challenge to raise funds for the charity.

Speaking to Forever Surrey, Kathryn enthused about the feeling of being an Olympic torchbearer.  She said “The whole experience was amazing, and was truly overwhelming. The support was fantastic, from my friends and family but also from the local people of Reading. I had so many people ask to have a photo taken with me while I was waiting for my turn, which was very unexpected! It was such a great thing to be involved in and I am very honoured to have been part of the relay. It is an experience that I will never forget.  I got to keep the torch so this will provide a lasting memory as well as lots of amazing photos and publicity from the day.”