AN OSWESTRY man and a manager at Gobowen's hospital are to be among those given the task of carrying the Queen's Baton as part of a nationwide relay to celebrate this summer's Commonwealth Games.

Ian Davies who was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and has raised money for charity through sporting endeavours, and Rebecca Warren, a ward manager in Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries will be among the baton bearers from Shropshire in the Queen's Baton Relay next week.

Ms Warren was seconded to set up and lead the Covid-19 vaccination centre in the hospital, while Mr Davies was part of the Atlantic Mavericks team who rowed across the Altantic Ocean in 2019.

Other bearers will include another Shropshire-based Atlantic rower, Kelda Wood, Sally Johnson, who set up the charity The Harry Johnson Trust after her son died aged seven in 2014 of cancer, and Chloe Manley, St John Ambulance District Cadet of the Year 2021.

The baton will arrive for the first two visits to the county when it is delivered into Shrewsbury Sports Village on Monday, July 18 by an RAF helicopter flown by crew based in RAF Shawbury.

All the baton bearers:

  • Kath Norgrove, who chairs a grassroots environmental group working towards a more sustainable low-carbon community in Bridgnorth.
  • Andy Smith, founder of Smashlife UK, an organisation aimed at young people, social workers and specialists within the care system to help overcome childhood trauma and abuse.
  • Sally Johnson, who set up the charity The Harry Johnson Trust after her son died aged seven in 2014 of cancer.
  • Ian Davies, who since being diagnosed with cancer in 2014 has raised thousands of pounds for charity through sporting endeavours.
  • Rebecca Warren, a ward manager on Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries Unit at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt (RJAH) Hospital in Oswestry, who was seconded to set up and lead the COVID-19 vaccination centre in the hospital.
  • Chloe Manley, St John Ambulance District Cadet of the Year 2021.
  • Andrew Reed, who took on what is said to be the toughest mountain race in the world, the Dragons Back Race, and not only finished, but came 48th out of only 90 who finished.
  • Andy Finazzi, who set up charity Cal-Sibz to help siblings of sick children.
  • Joanne Wisdom, who, despite a foot injury, limped the London Marathon in just under six hours, raising £4,500 for Brain Research UK.

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for communities, culture, leisure and tourism, and transport, said it would provide an opportunity for people in Shropshire to get involved with the Commonwealth Games.

She added: "The Baton’s arrival in Shropshire is a wonderful opportunity for people to get involved with the Commonwealth Games and will celebrate all the county has to offer.

"With under a week to go until the first time it visits our county, it’s been exciting to find out who the baton bearers will be and hear their personal stories.

"The Queen’s Baton Relay is a chance for us all to be inspired by what sport and the communities around it can achieve.

"Make sure you join in and watch the Baton’s journey."