A Summer of Olympic Proportions

Andy McGowan (Trinity Hall 2007)

I always love watching the Olympics, but this year I will be able to experience the joy of London 2012 first-hand.

I am honoured to have been selected to carry the Olympic Torch when it goes through Newmarket on Saturday 7 July, before I race back to Parker's Piece for Cambridge's Olympic celebration event.

Being nominated for my work with young carers, widening participation work and achievements having come from a background as a young carer is a real honour and privilege and something I’d never have even dreamed possible. The Olympics is all about determination, mental strength and aiming for your goals - and the young people who I volunteer with show this in abundance on a daily basis and some of them are just as excited for the Torch as I am!

For those of you going to the Games, you may well also see me in a completely different context as I have been selected as one of the McDonald's Olympic Champion Crew to work in one of the four restaurants. After a year as CUSU Access Officer, during which I worked at weekends as Shift Manager at McDonalds and assisted members with a hospitality apprenticeship, I am now working there full time and saving up for further study while raising money for RMHC - Ronald McDonald House Charity, which provides free 'home away from home' accommodation for families whose children are in hospital across the UK.

Read more about Andy on his official torch bearer page, or in Trinity Hall's magazine Front Court.