DWF lawyer to carry Olympic torch
DUNCAN Vaughan, partner at DWF, has been chosen as one of the torchbearers for the Olympic relay across the UK.
Mr Vaughan, who works in the law firm’s corporate and commercial team and splits his time between its Manchester and Leeds offices, will carry the Olympic torch through his home village of Appleby in Cumbria on June 20 (next Wednesday), as part of its journey across the UK in the run-up to the 2012 Games.
He was nominated as one of the 8,000 torchbearers in recognition of his fundraising efforts for cancer charities Christie’s and Macmillian – having raised £15,000 for completing five international marathons in one year.
Mr Vaughan said he knew he had made the ‘long list’ last December and was finally told he’d made the final cut in February.
He said: “When I signed up to do the marathons I never imagined that I’d go off and then do this.”
He added: “I am very honoured that my efforts have been recognised with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It has been a privilege to represent Christies and Macmillan all over the world and the chance to run with the Olympic flame really is the icing on the cake for what has been a very exciting few years for me.”
Relay runners get to keep their torches – there have been reports of one being sold on Ebay for more than £150,000 – but Mr Vaughan plans to display his in pride of place.
“These things are huge – about 75cm long – so we’ve had a stand made to display it,” he said.
And Mr Vaughan’s marathon running shows no sign of letting up – in November he’ll be running in the Philadelphia marathon, having been invited him over by readers of his running blog: www.fivemarathons.com.
