BROMSGROVES Tom Clarke-Forrest has been selected as a baton bearer for the Queens Baton Relay ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Tom, who moved to Bromsgrove in 2014, is the founder of Sport 4 Life UK, which has worked with the relays official partner Longines to nominate inspiring people within the organisation to carry the baton this summer.
He’ll be carrying the baton in Birmingham on July 27, the day before the games opening ceremony.
Tom was one of nine people who attended the batonbearer launch event earlier this month at Alexander Stadium where the relay will reach its final destination.
He founded Sport 4 Life UK in 2007 due to his passion for sport and the West Midlands.
It’s provided young people with sports sessions, accredited qualifications, functions skills, mentoring and employability workshops to help them meaningfully progress in their education and employment.
Tom started Sport 4 Life with no staff or money and has grown it to become the leading sport-for-employability organisation in the West Midlands.
Sport 4 Life now employ 25 people full time and have supported over 15,000 young people towards better futures.
The organisation has also scooped 10 regional and national awards and its employability programme, which supports 11 to 29-year-olds who are out of work or at risk of unemployment, has been recognised by ‘United by 2022′, the Games’ legacy charity.
They are also an ‘Assignment Provider’ for the Birmingham 2022 ‘Gen22’ scheme and is delivering a huge range of Games-inspired activities for young people across the West Midlands.
Tom described his selection as a ‘huge honour’ and a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’.
“I play, watch and work in sport, and I believe in the power of sport to change lives.
“To have the opportunity to carry the baton in the build up to the biggest event the region has ever hosted is extremely exciting.
“My family, including my two young children, will be lining the streets to watch me, and I think my main focus will just be to not drop the baton.”
