OLYMPIC TORCH VISITS POLWHELE

An Olympic torch made a visit to Polwhele House on Tuesday, where the children were able to get close to it and many were able to hold it.

Sean McDonnell, uncle of one of Polwhele's year four girls, was an Olympic torchbearer in Falmouth on Saturday.

With kind permission from her uncle, Jenna Kerridge brought the torch into her class at school, with perfect timing as the group had made their own Olympic torches for their Sports Day the previous week.

Jenna was very excited about sharing her uncle's torch and said, "I'd like to thank Uncle Sean for letting me bring the torch to school.  It was lovely that the children could hold it and many thanked me for the once in a lifetime opportunity".

Class Teacher and Head of Art at Polwhele House, Claire Richmond said, "We are very grateful to Sean for allowing Jenna to bring his torch into our school.  Many of our children lined the route with their families as the torch came through Truro on Saturday, and some were lucky enough to see Sean carry it through Falmouth."

Miss Richmond continued, "Having experienced the atmosphere of the start of the relay in Cornwall, the whole class was very excited.  As each of the children made their own Olympic torch for Sports Day last week, it meant a great deal to them to be able to hold the real thing – something that at 8 years of age I am sure they will remember for the rest of their lives".

Sean, who comes from Falmouth, was chosen to be a torchbearer due to the work that he does in the community.  Newly married on Friday, the day before he was a torchbearer, his new wife's daughter – Charlotte – nominated him for his sporting achievements and charitable work.

As Sean is currently on honeymoon, his sister and Jenna's mum, Michaela Kerridge explains:

"Charlotte nominated Sean because he has always been very successful at sports and does a great deal for the local community.  Not only is he a local Police Community Support Officer, where he helps the children from the Waterfront Crew, he has also raised thousands of pounds for the CMA (Cardiomyopathy Association) by arranging charity football matches and cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End."

Sean was originally scheduled to run along Melville Road in Falmouth, but due to the runner after him being unavailable, Sean ran two legs, finishing at the Recreation Ground instead - the last two legs before the torch left Falmouth.

Michaela continued, "With the wedding the day before it was a really special weekend. Sean was pleased to purchase his torch as a symbol of this and so that he could share this special occasion.  Sean was delighted for his torch to visit Polwhele House, helping spread the positivity of the Olympics".

For further info, please visit www.polwhelehouse.co.uk