1. 27 July - 12 August

2.  The Olympic Flame is lit from the sun's rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia in a traditional ceremony among the ruins of the home of the Ancient Games.  The Olympic Torch Relay connects the Ancient Games to the Modern ones and transmits a message of peace, friendship, hope and respect to the world.  After a 1 week tour around Greece, the Flame is handed over to the new Host City (London) at another ceremony in the Panathenaiko stadium in Athens.  The Flame is then delivered to the Host Country to begin a unique journey – the Olympic Torch Relay.

4.  It covers large distances, involves thousands of people as Olympic Torchbearers, goes past many famous landmarks and sees vast crowds gathering to cheer the Olympic Flame on its journey  The Olympic Torch is transferred from one Torchbearer to another, spreading the message of peace, unity and friendship.  It will travel 800 miles through more than 1,000 cities, towns and villages in the UK between 18 May and 27 July; it will help shine a light on the whole of the UK including Gateshead.  Its journey ends as the last Torchbearer lights the Cauldron at the Opening Ceremony on 27 July 2012 in the Olympic Stadium, marking the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.  The Flame burns continuously until it is put out at the Closing Ceremony, signifying the end of the Games.

5.  There are 8,000 truly inspirational torch-bearers; people who will carry their very own torch a short distance each.  All torch-bearers have their own inspirational story to tell about why they were nominated and what it was like to carry the Olympic Torch and Flame. They have been chosen specially for their contribution to the community – for doing something to help others or something brave.  They can run or walk with the Olympic Flame; but some have been known to swim, ski, cycle or even fly! Whatever the method of transport, each person passes the Olympic Flame onto the next until it reaches the Opening Ceremony.

6.  Several Gateshead people have been chosen to be Torchbearers. Why do you think they were nominated?  Can you think of who you would nominate to be aTorchbearer if you could? What inspirational story do they have? People with inspirational stories to tell are known as local heroes.  8,000 local heroes have been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch and have their ‘moment to shine’. This will be a very special occasion for them and one that brings very happy memories. Think about any ‘moment to shine’ that you have had and how it made you feel.  Perhaps you can think of a inspirational story of your own?

7.  Charlotte Proud is one of Gateshead’s truly inspirational torchbearers (local heroine).  Charlotte has volunteered to come in to your school to show you her very own Olympic Torch and tell you about her ‘chance to shine’ the Olympic Flame.  She is going to talk to you about what it was like to carry the Olympic Torch and Flame through Gateshead on 16 June (Day 29)…but first let’s see her with the torch.