AN INSPIRING hospitality and catering student from West Cheshire College has been announced as a torchbearer for the Olympic flame when it comes to Chester.
Gemma Smith, 17, was nominated by her tutor, Julie Hinde, who recognised her hard work and commitment to local community groups.
Gemma, who is studying Hospitality Management NVQ Level 3, is a bell ringer at Holt Church, where she recently organised an abseil off the church tower which raised £4,000 for Nightingale House Hospice.
She coaches children aged four-eight years old at Chester Angels Cheerleading, she is a member of the Scouts and she is also a corporal cadet in the Air Training Corps, where she is involved in local events and fund raising such as the Poppy Appeal.
Gemma said: “Being an Olympic torchbearer will be really exciting and I’m really looking forward to it. I can’t believe I have been chosen.
“Shortly I will be starting my training for the event as I am currently recovering from an ankle operation. When I am ok to start training I will be throwing myself into it as I also have a three week expedition in India in August where I will be hiking up Stock Kangri mountain to prepare for!”
Julie Hinde, hospitality tutor at West Cheshire College, who nominated Gemma to be a torchbearer, said: “Gemma is a young person who gives up her time every week to make a difference to people in the local community and uses her interests and talents to help others.”
The torch will be visiting Chester on Tuesday, May 29, as part of its 70-day nationwide tour in the build up to the 2012 Olympics in London. The torch will go past landmarks such as Chester Cathedral, The Eastgate Clock and Chester Amphitheatre.
