Rustington woman shows off Olympic torch to new audience

Evie-Rose lit up the lives of her mum and dad, Aimee Searle and Dave Griffin, when she came into the world on July 23, as the torch run was nearing its end through the streets of London.

And on Friday they took their daughter along to see one of the torches which lit up the nation on its Olympic odyssey.

Jill Keig-Shevlin, of the Sea Estate, Rustington, went to the Nightingale Nursing Home, in Beach Road, Littlehampton, where Aimee’s mum, Tracey Searle, is the manager, to show the torch she carried through Broadwater, Worthing.

The home has been having its own fortnight of Olympic-themed activities and asked Jill if she would bring the torch to add to the excitement.

Jill, 78, was nominated as a torchbearer by her daughter Nicky Booker. Nicky cited Jill’s caring for her late husband, Tony, for more than 20 years, and her continuing work as a volunteer for the Leukaemia Research charity.

One of 8,000 to carry the torch, she said of her experience: “It was amazing. Very humbling. Luckily the rain stopped just as the torch arrived at Broadwater.

“Having the torch is something very precious for me. I’m not one of those people who will be selling it off on eBay. My three daughters will have to decide which one of them gets it.”

Tracey thanked Jill for visiting the home with the torch. “It’s a lovely gesture and we are very grateful to Jill for sharing it with us.”

During the Olympics, the home’s 17 residents have been taking part in games such as skittles, bagatelle, a version of basketball and welly boot throwing.

Medals will be awarded at a special ceremony at the end of the fortnight. But whatever the outcome, there has been a great deal of interest among Nightingale’s residents in the televised coverage of the Olympic Games themselves.