Coach 'honoured' after carrying Olympic torch (From Sutton Guardian)

Carshalton coach meets Sir Bobby Charlton in Manchester rain

11:00am Thursday 28th June 2012 in Latest News By James Pepper

A woman who has dedicate her life to athletics was given the "tremendous honour" of carrying the Olympic torch last weekend.

Alyson Euridge swapped the wet weather of Sutton of for the even wetter weather of Manchester to carry the torch through the city alongside Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton.

The athletics coach said: "Sir Bobby was wonderful, a true gentleman. He has still got a twinkle in his eye, even at 74. Move over David Beckham I say."

She said: "I was nominated and given the wonderful duty due to my involvement in Athletics. I was firstly a helper, then a qualified official working my way up to County standard and also became an athletic coach - all due to my daughter Katryna now aged 29. She was a very keen and competitive member of Sutton and District Athletic Club."

The coach, who lives on Hamilton Avenue, currently works at the Link Primary School in Beddington but she has been praised for her athletics involvement outside of work.

She said: "Due to my athletic experience I set up our sports days at Sutton Arena and then, persuaded by keen parents, I set up an after school club for special needs children. The club has been running for three years now and I have a regular attendance of about 20 children."

The Olympic torch will be travelling through Sutton on June 23 ahead of the start of the games on July 27.