And the actual day itself…

A packed Open Air Theatre gave a warm welcome to the Olympic Torch as the relay route went through Scarborough this week.

Organisers of the Open Air Theatre event to welcome the flame to the borough said it was a great success.

Cllr Derek Bastiman, the lead councillor who championed the bid to bring the torch through the area, said he was over the moon with the turnout.

He said: “The local entertainment and talent was first class – bearing in mind this is a once in a lifetime event.

“This is way, way beyond what I expected – and to get it into all three towns was the icing on the cake.”

He added that visitors from the Hackney area of London were also impressed with both the Open Air Theatre and the standard of entertainment at the event.

Scarborough Council originally put together its successful bid around 18 months ago and Brian Bennett, the council’s head of tourism, said he was pleased with the way the day had gone. He said the weather had been perfect and everyone had given the event their full support.

“We actually bid to get the torch through the borough and we were looking at either a lunchtime stop or an evening stop – to get the lunchtime stop is even better. It’s great for Scarborough especially in the sunshine.”

Jamie Green was given a warm welcome when he entered the Open Air Theatre with the Olympic Torch strapped to his wheelchair.

The expected crowd of around 6000 people had waited patiently for his arrival and he said he would remember the day for the rest of his life.

Speaking after he posed for the assembled pack of photographers Jamie, who is from Malton, said: “I’ve never experienced anything like that. It’s been good exercise pushing all that way. It’s just one of those things you will always remember.”

He added that it was also good to carry the torch in Scarborough because it was fairly local for him. “It was great to see all those people in the Open Air Theatre – It was brilliant.”

After a break for lunch he handed over the precious flame to 12-year-old Ben Chapman from Hull. He said: “It’s great but I’m speechless – this is a once in a life time opportunity.”

Ellie’s ‘amazing’ 300 mile torchbearer journey

Many people who packed along the crowded seafront may not have realised that 28-year-old Ellie Wallis will have run more than 300 miles for charity by next month.

The torch-bearer from Scarborough said she was aiming to run a mile for every member of the Armed Forces who had been killed in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan.

She proudly carried the Olympic Torch between a cafe in Royal Albert Drive to Hairy Bob’s Skate park and said the experience had exceeded all expectations.

“I don’t think I knew what to expect. I have been in contact with other people who have done it and they were saying what their experience had been like. But until you’ve experienced it for yourself you don’t know what to expect,” she added.

Ellie started her mammoth running challenge last July – but was forced to take three months out when she broke her ankle – and during this time it has included a 69 mile run along Hadrian’s Wall.

She said: “I am running the Memorial Mile Challenge between now and graduation in 2012 I am going to run one official race mile for every person killed in Afghanistan. I wish to encourage others to join me run a mile in remembrance even if they do not personally know those killed.

“Even if I run just three miles it represents three names that should be remembered. Everyone deserves to have that memorial.”

Ellie is raising money for SSAFA, a charity that supports bereaved families as well as the injured, and she hopes to complete the challenge by July 7. She said: “It’s been amazing because people see what I am doing is for charity. I dream of giving just a little something back.”

From The Scarborough News on Thursday, June 21, 2012.