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This year, why not enjoy a day out at a National Gardens Scheme garden - you'll be helping fund the QNI too!
Providing vital funding for projects that help improve patient care.
Visit our nursing heritage website, a celebration of District Nursing around the world since 1859.
Queen's Nurse carries Olympic Torch
27 Jun 2012
On Saturday 23rd June, Queen’s Nurse David Lighten, a community cardiac nurse from Bradford became one of 8000 people to carry the Olympic Torch on its journey throughout the UK.
He said, ‘It was absolutely amazing. From the moment we got on our bus the atmosphere was unreal. We were practically surrounded by people wanting to see us and take photos.’
The bus carrying the torch bearers went from Headingley to Harehills, both suburbs in Leeds. Each torch bearer was dropped off one by one. David said, ‘ The noise as we each stepped off the bus was deafening. Once I got off and the bus pulled away I was swarmed by people wanting to have a photo and to hold the torch, in the end I had a police out rider directing me to the cameras! My wife, family and friends were also there so that was nice to see how proud they were, it really was quite emotional.’
He added, ‘Once it was my turn to take the flame my biggest worry was whether it was going to go out, the weather was perfect but a little bit windy, and although I was trying to run slowly that’s quite difficult to do when you’re used to running fast! It was like a party atmosphere, just unbelievable. In the evening I went to the Leeds celebration event and had a few moments where I was asked to pose for photos with groups of kids.’
Congratulations to David on a once in a life-time experience!
David with the Olympic Torch
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