A CHARITY representative has said it was a ‘privilege’ to be one of the Northwich batonbearers in the final run up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Yesterday, Sunday, the baton visited Northwich on its long journey through England.
The Queen’s Baton was taken Anderton Boat Lift for an official private event to welcome the batonbearers, including the conclusion of the Schools Baton Relay from Comberbach Primary School.
*Scroll down to the bottom of the article to find some fantastic images from the day*
Deborah Dixon was one of the batonbearers involved in carrying the baton safety through the town.
She was nominated for tirelessly raising money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) since tragically losing her son Aaron from an undetected heart defect.
The former Weaverham High School and Mid Cheshire College student was just 23 years old when he died on September 4, 2011.
Deborah and CRY have helped screen countless young people for heart defects, to help prevent further tragedies like this.
Deborah found out about the honour of being a batonbearer earlier this year, and finally met her fellow batonbearers on Sunday morning before the big event.
She said: “We had to tell our story, which was really nice because we got to know why everyone else was there.
“There were two young girls there and they were part of Team GB.
“I went up to them to introduce myself and they said they had received a heart screening through the English Institute of Sport which I help fund – it was so nice to meet them.”
Each batonbearer was given a number corresponding to their place in the convoy – and when Deborah received hers, she was astounded.
“It was 23,” she said, explaining how it is the date of son Aaron’s birthday.
Deborah said it was a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ and a ‘privilege’ carrying the baton – flanked by police officers to help protect it – through the town, which was filled with people.
“Everybody had such a great day,” she said.
Images from the Queen's Baton Relay in Northwich:
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