The Queen's Baton passed through East Lancashire yesterday on its 294-day tour of the Commonwealth.
Making its way to Birmingham for the start of the 2022 Commonwealth Games on July 28, the baton stopped off in Blackburn and Darwen, where a feast of celebrations took place.
Seven lucky baton bearers from across East Lancashire were chosen to relay the baton through the borough, from Corporation Park, to Blackburn town Hall, up to Ewood Park and then on to Duckworth Street and Market Street in Darwen.
Each with their own inspiring individual stories, the baton bearers have contributed to their communities in ways like no other.
Debashis Bhattacharya, from Burnley was the first to take hold of the baton.
The entrepreuner leads a population health management company called iKure, which is concerned with the delivery of healthcare in the last mile, but is also a pillar of the local Indian community in the town.
He said: "During the pandemic, we were adjudjed as one of the top three companies in the world by the UN sustainability group as part of their agenda that "no one must be left behind".
"We have also been adjudged to be one of the top 50 companies in India as a response unit during the pandemic and we are also one of the top 5 companies as far as sustainability is concerned.
"I have mentored the Burnley Boys and Girls Club during the pandemic and it is one of the top non-profit organisations in Lancashire.
"Along with this is my vision of making Indian Classical Music and Classical Arts as a force to reckon with, I have founded the Indian Arts Project to give voice to the unheard and support the Kalakar Arts led by Chandra Chakraborty, the leading Indian Classical Musician in the West.
"I have no financial ambition with these businesses just do this out of a passion because charities may not be sustainable, but businesses are."
Laura Nuttall from Nelson was the second baton bearer, and diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2018 has refused to let it define her.
Despite the diagnosis she is now in her final year at Manchester University and was the Brain Tumour Charity 'Young Ambassador of the year' and has worked tirelessly to fundraise and improve awareness of brain tumours.
She was also awarded BBC Radio's 'Pride of Lancashire' award for the work she takes on with a local food bank and her annual Boxing Day event for struggling and refugee families in East Lancs - an incredible shining light of optimism and positivity.
The third person chosen to take hold of the baton was Gemma Lee from Blackburn.
Gemma and her family lost their daughter, Megan, due to anaphylaxis five years ago, after eating a take away.
Since then her and her husband have relentlessly and selflessly dedicated their time to raise awareness and money for anaphylaxis charities, lobbying local councils and governement to change guidance to prevent this tragic event happening to someone else's family.
They have regularly appeared on TV and hold numerous events in their daughter Megan Lee's name.
Taking the baton from Gemma outside the Town Hall, Christopher Tattersall from Clitheroe became the fourth baton bearer.
Christopher started losing his sight at the age of 40 and had to give up work as an electrician.
He was registered blind in 1993 and then trained to be a teacher.
In 2000 with a Lottery fund grant he set up BrailleIT and now teaches at five locations across East Lancashire, all classes are free to learners and more than 150 people have now attended.
He is a founding member and chairperson for the Ribble Valley visually impaired group, a Guide Dog owner and gives talks to local groups including cubs and brownies.
At Ewood Park the baton was passed to Rebecca Rich, who lives in Preston.
The 31-year-old has Down's syndrome and wants to encourage other people with disabilities to dance and follow their dreams.
In 2018 she took on the role of spokesperson and ambassador for the Accrington charity DanceSyndrome and travels around the country sharing the charity’s “ability, not disability” ethos.
Rebecca's hard work and dedication to her volunteering role has been recognised through a number of local and National awards, and she is a passionate lady who campaigns for inclusion and zero tolerance of discrimination.
Following Rebecca's baton stint, Carrie Byrom from Parbold carried the baton through part of Darwen.
Despite bearing her own physical and mental scars Carrie continues to make a positive impact within her community and wider area through her home-based charity, Stable Lives.
The charity provides courses and one-to-one sessions for blue-light workers, carers, military veterans and vulnerable families to improve their wellbeing, self esteem and to provide a safe and calm environment for them to reconnect.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Carrie raises awareness and funds to continue her work through 24-hour endurance events and physical challenges such as Tough Mudder.
She said: "I am passionate about shining a light into the darkness of mental health.
"Our charity uses horses and ponies who have been rehabilitated from physical and mental trauma to support adults, children and families in crisis.
"My career within international eventing which ended after a significant accident gives me a platform to talk to others about dreaming big for their future and not letting failure and disappointment limit their lives."
Finally, Thomas Lewis from Salford carried the baton on its last leg before it travelled to Bolton.
Thomas achieved England Athletics National Young Volunteer of the Year in 2020 due to his exceptional contributions to the community in Manchester.
He is the founder and lead organiser of the Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness, which has raised more than £12,000 for A Bed Every Night in the last three years.
Speaking outside Blackburn Town Hall as the baton arrived in the town centre, Youth MP, Muhammed Bapu said: "The whole ethos of the Commonwealth Games links very closely to my two campaign priorities, which are mental health and child food poverty, and so it feels fitting that I should be invited to say a few words, here today, on behalf of young people from across the borough.
"I truly hope that the Baton passing through our borough today will inspire more people into sport and physical activity.
"How fantastic would it be to have a gold medallist from Blackburn with Darwen at the next Commonwealth Games in 2026?
"We know that sport can be powerful. Not only for your physical health, but mental health too.
"It can be a fulfilling way to escape struggles that we are facing in life – no matter what age.
"There’s some incredible role models in sport who are driving forward real change in our society.
"By going home today and telling others about the Baton and the forthcoming Games, we have the chance to be part of that too.
"We have the chance to be part of the change.
"We know that the Commonwealth Games transforms and strengthens local communities – together, we can do that here in Blackburn with Darwen.
"Together, let’s make a difference and encourage young people to fulfil their potential, across not only the traditional career paths, but also with sport, to feel the passion of competition and ambition, and to live a happier and more fulfilled life."
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