We have our very own Olympic superstar in Kathy Critchlow-Smith, who has represented Great Britain in archery at the Paralympic Games with great success, bringing home one Gold, two Silvers and a Bronze medal over recent years.

Kathy, who works for our forensic mental health service based at Littlemore was chosen to be a torchbearer for her home town of Wroughton, Wiltshire. 

Over 3,000 people across the country have been chosen to carry the Olympic flame in the run up to the 2012 London games, all of whom had to meet very special criteria to be picked to take part.

The torch, designed by Barber Osgerby measures 80cm tall, 10cm wide at top, 4.5cm wide at its base.

Kathy, who took part on 23 May, is keeping the torch as a memento of the day, however, the torch will never be able to be relit as the propane-butane burner is removed once it’s been used but she’ll always be a bright sporting light to us! 

In the run up to the Olympics we will keep you posted about our other staff and service users who are involved in London 2012….