Our Olympic celebrations and heroes

By Worcestershire Life on January 11th 2012

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July 27 the world’s greatest party begins and all eyes will be on London. But the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics are not just about those six Olympics and Paralympics weeks in the Capital, as the events present a unique opportunity to create something that will inspire the whole country, says Peter Turvey, Worcestershire Olympic Opportunities co-ordinator.

“When London won the bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Singapore in 2005 one of the key aims was to ensure the games weren’t just about the Olympics but about the United Kingdom. With that aim in mind counties across the UK started to plan how they could maximise the potential benefits that the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games could bring and in Herefordshire and Worcestershire the Raising Our Game programme was created. My role is to help maximise the benefits the Games can bring to Worcestershire – to the people, the communities, the organisations and the businesses – and to leave an economic and social legacy.”

Peter’s enthusiasm is infectious. He wants everyone to realise what an exciting opportunity the Olympics presents and how people from every walk of life can benefit, whether it is businesses winning Olympic contracts or more children and adults becoming interested in sport. In short, use the occasion as catalyst for inspiring everyone, no matter what their age or background.

And it is working. At the latest count 30 Olympic contracts have been won by Worcestershire businesses. “It’s going to bring much needed economic stimulus to the county,” says Peter.

But it is more than just about economic success. A large part of it all is encouraging more people into sport, and to help spread the word a series of illustrious Olympic athletes, from middle distance runner Christina Boxer to Paralympian swimmer Sascha Kindred, have been enlisted. They work as ambassadors, and have been kept busy attending local events and awards’ nights. “They are a key part of the inspiration that the Olympics can bring,” says Peter. “They bring it to life for local people.”

And the next six months are set to get more exciting with physical activity programmes, sporting courses, volunteering schemes, and lots of community games. Community games are a mix of sporting and cultural activities or competitions and so far more than 165,000 people have participated in 224 community games across the West Midlands, including 30 in Worcestershire. The aim is to make this number 500 across the West Midlands by the time the Olympics open.

Also, as part of the cultural Olympiad, there is the dance project 12 Moves. Dance events will be held all over Worcestershire culminating in a grand outdoor event in Worcester on March 24. “From community classes to outdoor events, 12 Moves is getting Worcestershire dancing,” says Peter.

So for those that think the Olympics start and finish with London think again.

To find out more about what is going on where visit www.communitygames.org.uk or www.12moves.com or www.worcestershirepartnership.org.uk/cms/2012/raising-our-game-2012.aspx

Olympic Hero: Helen Cleaver

When the Olympic torch winds its way around the UK this summer on its journey to London it will be carried by 8,000 inspirational people. And they don’t get much more inspirational than Helen Cleaver, from Little Witley, who will be carrying the torch on July 1 on part of the section from Birmingham to Coventry that comes into Worcestershire. Diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2006, aged just 45, Helen went into remission for just three years before the cancer returned in September 2009. She was told she had a one-in-four chance of living until the end of the year. However despite this devastating news she rose to the challenge and has became a source of encouragement
for others.

Helen was nominated by The Haven breast cancer support centre in Hereford that helps sufferers and their families to deal with the physical and emotional effects of the disease, and a place that Helen credits with getting her to this point. “When I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, I started to panic and thought I need help, so I got in touch with The Haven and they have been wonderful. I am sure it is their help with nutrition, wellbeing and holistic ideas that has got me as far as I am now,” she says.

Lesley Leach, The Haven’s community fundraiser, says Helen is an inspiration: “I nominated Helen because of the way she has faced her illness with such courage and because the way she takes on all challenges is inspirational.”

Although Helen’s reaction is typical of her matter-of-fact attitude that has seen her face her illness with such positivity. “I really feel I don’t deserve it. There are more special people than me. It’s too bigger honour for someone like me,” she says.

However the facts disagree. For since being diagnosed with the disease Helen has raised £4,000 (split between The Haven and The Worcester Breast Unit Appeal ) by completing a 32-mile trek, helped run the Worcester Busters Dragon Boat Team (a team for breast cancer survivors), and represented Great Britain in the Women’s Dragon Boat Team in the European championships in August 2010.

“I qualified at the time that I was expecting to be under the ground so it did move me on the way home. I was in tears thinking I shouldn’t really be here, this is wonderful,” she says.

Throughout her illness she has carried on working for the Colwills at Stourport, looking after fruit and vegetables for their farm shop. She joined the business 1981 after studying horticulture at Pershore College where she met her husband Martin who she says has been her rock. “I am a stubborn person and he allows me to keep going as much as I can. I think sometimes he would like to put a limit on me so that I don’t push things too far.”

The last October there was another setback when Helen was diagnosed with a brain tumour. “I was told I would be lucky to see Christmas,” she says. But her guardian angel appeared in the guise of surgeon Richard Edwards from Bristol who offered to operate. Her advice to others therefore is don’t ever give up hope. “Things can get better even if you are given the worst diagnosis,” she says.

Christmas was spent on the Yorkshire/Cumbria border in Kirby Lonsdale striding out on the fells, instead of in the hospital bed she had anticipated.

And now a new year has dawned Helen says she is starting to get excited about the Olympics. “I was trying to fill the forms in the other morning – they want all our clothing sizes – and it started to bring it home and wow – bring it on! My brother keeps teasing me that he is going to come from Wales with a box of matches for when I blow the torch out.”

Helen’s Olympic story doesn’t end with the torch, as she is also among the lucky few that have managed to obtain tickets for the cross country day of the Olympic Three Day Event.

“I couldn’t believe it. I have now two things to live for and get very fit for, other than a husband, enjoyment of work and enjoyment of dragon boating. Here’s to a very exciting 2012,” she says proving very much life is about living.

The Olympic torch travels through Worcestershire on May 24-25 and July 1 visiting Far Forest, Callow Hill, Bewdley, Kidderminster, Droitwich Spa, Fernhill Heath, Worcester, Powick, Malvern, Malvern Wells, Redditch, Astwood Bank, Evesham, Wickhamford and Broadway. On May 24, Worcester hosts an evening celebration, which will offer thousands of people the opportunity to celebrate and share in the Olympic spirit. n

Our Olympic celebrations and heroes

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