By Gary Anderson

November 18 - Glasgow 2014 organisers are looking for 4000 batonbearers to carry the Queen's Baton through Scotland next year © Glasgow 2014Television presenter Carol Smillie has called on the people of Scotland to nominate community champions to become batonbearers for the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay as the nomination process enters its final week ahead.

Communities throughout Scotland are being urged to put forward people who they think have made a positive contribution to sport in their local area to take part in the Relay which will make its way around the country on a 40-day journey before arriving at Celtic Park for the Opening Ceremony, which is due on July 23 next year.

Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) and Glasgow 2014 say they are looking for up to 4,000 deserving people to carry the Baton and the nomination process is now open until Friday (November 22).

"There is just one week left to nominate someone you think should be a batonbearer and be given the opportunity to take part in this unique event," said Glasgow native Smillie, part of the celebrations in the city's historic Fruitmarket when it won the right to host the Games in 2007.

"Commonwealth Games Scotland and Glasgow 2014 are looking for people from all over the country who are active in their local communities in many different ways.

"It could be your best friend, your mum, your neighbour, teacher, school pupil or colleague - someone you know who makes a difference.

"It doesn't have to be someone who is highly prominent or particularly well-known - they could be a completely unsung hero - just someone you think deserves a chance to take part in this amazing Relay.

"This is your chance to say 'thank-you' for their contribution."

Carol Smillie (centre) is urging people to get out and nominate someone to become a Glasgow 2014 batonbearer © Glasgow 2014Carol Smillie (centre) is urging people to get out and nominate someone to become a Glasgow 2014 batonbearer ©Glasgow 2014

















To become a batonbearer, individuals must be aged 12-years-old or over and have made a significant contribution to community or youth sport in their local area such as working with disadvantaged or marginalised communities or through schools and youth organisations.

After visiting all 69 countries in the Commonwealth, the Queen's Baton - currently making its way around the South Pacific - will arrive back in Edinburgh on June 14 next year before its final leg through Scotland where it will visit each local authority area.

Each day around 100 batonbearers will carry the Baton approximately 322 kilometres before it arrives in Glasgow on Sunday July 20 for a four-day tour of the host city.

The Relay was launched by Queen Elizabeth II during a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace on October 9 and in all it is due to travel around 190,000km in 248 days.

Julia McElroy was one of the first batonbearers to take part in the Relay on that day in London and she said: "I would urge the public to nominate those who have inspired them through life.

"I was chosen to be a batonbearer as a thank you for the work I've been doing promoting awareness of Para-Sport.

"It was such a privilege to be carrying the baton alongside Sir Chris Hoy and Alan Wells, it felt like a dream being there."

Multi-Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy was on-hand to deliver the Queen's Baton at the launch of the Relay outside Buckingham Palace last month © AFP/Getty ImagesMulti-Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy was on-hand to deliver the Queen's Baton at the launch of the Relay outside Buckingham Palace last month ©Getty Images

























Once all nominations have been received, a judging panel including representatives from a wide cross section of Scottish community organisations will assist in selecting the successful nominations for each local authority area.

"Up to 4,000 people will be carrying the baton through the length and breadth of Scotland, and we are asking everyone to nominate someone who has made a difference to the community," said Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg.

"It could be a sports coach, a young athlete, a volunteer worker, an inspirational teacher, someone who has achieved remarkable things against the odds.

"Nominating batonbearers is your way of thanking those inspirational people in your area, so go online and submit your nominations by 22 November."

For more information and to nominate a batonbearer click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
November 2013: 
Queen's Baton Relay continues Australian journey by visiting 2018 Commonwealth Games hosts
October 2013: 
Queen's Baton Relay cuts short Maldives visit because of political situation
October 2013:
Queen's Baton Relay faces potential new problem as fears of violence hit Maldives
October 2013:
Pakistan Government boycott Queen's Baton Relay on visit to Lahore
October 2013:
Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton set to be centre of controversy when arrives in Pakistan