We’re now well and truly into the Olympics home straight and excitement looms for the 8000 deserving people nominated to carry the Olympic torch before the games.
Last month the Organising Committee, LOCOG, announced their names and for one resident of the borough, 23 year old Darwin Bernardo from Colindale, the announcement was great news.
LOCOG had asked for nominations for inspiring people with a story of personal achievement or who had made a special contribution to their local community. They were inundated, with 11 applications for every place.
Darwin was nominated through Samsung’s public nomination campaign for the work he’s done to help inspire, empower and provide opportunities for young people in the borough of Barnet.
He achieved this by setting up the youth empowerment organisation Nutmeg Community in 2008 which works with young people aged 11-25 to help empower them to be role models of the future through art, media, business and entertainment. Nutmeg aims to unite, educate, inspire and create.
In that time Darwin has inspired over 4,000 young people to become actively engaged within their community.
In addition, Darwin works with Barnet Executive as a representative for young people from the borough and Transport for London helping to raise awareness of safety issues for youngsters.
The Olympic torch relay route takes it right around the country on an 8,000 mile journey bringing it within 10 miles of 95% of the population.
It arrives at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Congratulations to Darwin for a well deserved place in the 2012 Olympics story.
Find out about Nutmeg Community here … www.nutmegcommunity.com.
If you’d like to cheer on the torch bearers find out how and where it will be here.