Your chance to hold a piece of London 2012 history

Shirley Hume passes the flame to fellow torchbearer Georgie Twigg Jack Willingham Photography

Bettina Urban carrying the Olympic torch Jack Willingham Photography

Press release issued: 25 May 2012

Bristolians are being given the chance to hold the most talked about object in the country at the moment – the Olympic torch. Torchbearers Shirley Hume and Bettina Urban wanted to share the excitement of the torch relay and are inviting people along to the University of Bristol to pose with their iconic gold torches.

Torchbearers Shirley Hume and Bettina Urban wanted to share the excitement of the torch relay and are inviting people along to the University of Bristol to pose with their iconic gold torches.

Shirley, a Teaching Fellow at the University, came up with the idea after being overwhelmed by people’s enthusiasm for the flame as it passed through Bristol on Tuesday and Wednesday, deciding to help spread the Olympic spirit a little further.

In return for holding the torch and having their photo taken, people are invited to make a £5 donation to charity which will be split between Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK.

Shirley, 61, was nominated by fellow staff members for her sporting achievements, dedication to her students and bravery in overcoming skin cancer.

She said: “The torch is probably the most famous object in the country at the moment. The enthusiasm for it’s been so overwhelming that we wanted to give people the chance to hold it for themselves and pose for a photo, while grasping the opportunity to raise money for charity.”

Bettina, 28 from Redland, has been volunteering extensively since she started studying for her PhD in Dynamic Cell Biology in 2008, mainly through the Student Community Action (SCA) group - now UBU Volunteering - for which she is currently the Volunteer Development Officer.

She carried the torch along Henleaze Road and said: “I felt so honoured to carry the torch on Wednesday and be part of such a special occasion. Giving everyone else the opportunity to hold it feels like we’re continuing to spread the Olympic spirit and sharing our slice of history.”

People are invited along to hold the torch at the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health, Tyndall Avenue, on Tuesday and Wednesday [29 and 30 May], between 12.15pm and 1.45pm.