Two members of Dorset Police have been selected to be
torch bearers when the Olympic torch travels through Dorset in July
– in recognition of their commitment to making a difference to the
lives of others.
Crime Scene Investigator Jenny Dale, aged 47 from Bournemouth,
will carry the torch in Bournemouth on Friday, 13 July 2012.
Jenny has worked as a Crime Scene
Investigator, based at Ferndown police station since 1996. Jenny
first joined Dorset Police as an officer in 1989.
In early 2011, Jenny donated one of her
kidneys to a complete stranger through the Altruistic kidney donor
programme. She has since worked hard to regain her health and soon
after the transplant began training for a charity cycle ride from
London to Paris. Jenny cycled 1,700 miles in training to be fit
enough for the challenge. She completed it successfully and is now
training for the London to Brighton charity night ride, while
taking part in other local charity bike rides and events.
Despite twice being knocked off her bike
during training, Jenny has not let this stop her. She has raised in
excess of £4,000 for registered charities, including a cause close
to her heart, Transplant Links, through her cycling challenges.
More recently she donated her hair for a children’s charity which
makes wigs for children with cancer.
Of her nomination and selection as torch
bearer, Jenny said: “I am thrilled to be carrying the Olympic
flame, and can't wait until my turn on Friday, 13 July. I
feel very honoured to have been chosen from all the nominations
sent in.
“I have been watching some of the live footage
of the torch relay and seeing some of the people carrying the flame
has made me look forward to my turn even more!”
Police Officer Carmel Ryan has served with
Dorset Police for 22 years. She is part of the Boscombe Safer
Neighbourhood Team, an area she has policed for the past three
years and where she is a well known and popular figure among local
residents and businesses.
Carmel, aged 44 from Southbourne, will carry
the torch in Osmington, near Weymouth on Friday, 13 July.
Outside of work, Carmel dedicates a huge
amount of her time to helping others. She is a keen runner and has
completed three marathons, raising over £3,000 for homeless charity
Shelter and a school in Uganda that she supports through her own
children’s school. She has also set up local running groups.
Carmel has also taken part in a prison
dialogue scheme in Dorset that helps offenders approaching release
from prison to re-integrate into the community.
Describing her role as a torch bearer, Carmel
said: “I feel very humbled to have even been nominated, as to me I
am just doing my job and it's the way I like to work, with the
personal touch. I love my job and to be recognised in this way is a
real honour and a privilege.
“I love running and have run marathons to
fundraise, so to be involved in the Olympics in this way is very
exciting”.
Dorset Police Chief Constable Martin Baker,
said: “I am delighted for Jenny and Carmel. They are exemplary
members of Dorset Police who give so much back to the community
both in and out of work.”
Retired Dorset Police Chief Inspector Colin
Fry has also been chosen as torch bearer and will carry the flame
through Winfrith Newburgh, close to Dorset Police Headquarters, on
Friday, 13 July.
Colin, who spent 37 years at Dorset Police
before retiring as Bournemouth Deputy Commander in 1994, was
selected for his dedicated charity work over the last 35 years.