By Martin Walker
Aycliffe schoolboy Richie Howe says he’s “honoured and privileged” at the prospect of carrying the Olympic Torch on Sunday.
The Torch passes through Middridge on Sunday and is expected in Aycliffe from 3.30pm.
It will start at the roundabout adjacent to the Youth Centre at 3.36pm, then will travel along Burn Lane, passing Tesco, before turning right at the roundabout and on to St Cuthbert’s Way towards the Business Park, before heading off towards Darlington.
Woodham College student Richie was selected to run 300 metres with the Torch in Darlington after raising £500 for charity when he swam the equivalent of the English channel in Aycliffe Leisure Centre’s swimming pool.
The 15-year-old will pick the Torch up near the Cinema on North Road at about 4.45pm, and take it to Freeman’s Place, before it goes down Haughton Road and off to Teesside.
Richie told Aycliffe Today: “I’m honoured and privileged, and I just hope it goes well, I can’t wait!
“My brother is diabetic and I raised nearly £500 swimming 416 lengths for Diabetes UK, my Mum told her friend and she nominated me for my charity work.
“You can’t believe it’s really happening to you. You think of all the stars that will be carrying it, I really can’t get over it, it’s going to be amazing.
“I’ve got quite a few friends going and quite a lot of my family, so there’ll hopefully be a lot of people there and I’ll give them a cheeky wave!”
See our Video Interview with Richie here