We won’t cash in on our torch experience (From Cotswold Journal)

We won’t cash in on our torch experience

11:00am Friday 25th May 2012 in News

AT least two of the Vale torchbearers have vowed not to cash in on their once-in-alifetime experience by selling their Olympic torches on eBay.

Even before the first day of the national Torch Relay was over on Saturday, the gold torches appeared on the online auction site.

Despite costing £500 to make and being sold to torchbearers at £200, some have fetched more than £150,000 on the on-line auction site.

Broadway GP, Dr Neil Townshend is taking part in the relay when it passes through Birmingham on Sunday, July 1, and will not be selling his torch.

He said: “To sell it for financial gain seems to miss the whole point of being part of the event and everything it symbolises.

“I can see why someone might be tempted to do so for charity, but I would rather treasure mine and do something else for charity.”

Yasmin Boff, of Northwick Road, Evesham, has decided to do something quite special with her torch.

Yasmin’s family appealed for donations to help raise the £200 to buy her the keepsake torch and having got the cash she now intends to display it at the Simon de Montfort Middle School where she is a pupil.

The 12-year-old swimmer, who carried the torch for about 300 metres through Gloucester yesterday, has already spoken of her dream of one day competing in the Olympics.

Dad Dean Boff said: “She doesn’t want to part with it and I don’t blame her.

I said it to her it will be worth more when she wins her first gold medal. We can’t wait. It’s going to be a brilliant day for her.”

Simon de Montfort pupils arrived at school early today to watch a live feed of Yasmin carrying the torch.

When completing her leg of the route, she will go back to the school to show off the torch to her classmates