Last year, Coca-Cola conducted a dedicated search, in association with NUS, to find inspirational students who make positive contributions to their community and recognise and reward them by giving them the opportunity to run with the Olympic Flame.
The Coca-Cola Olympic Torch Tour visited Student Unions across the country between October and November 2011, calling on students to nominate the Future Flames they know: fellow students who use their passion in areas like sport and physical activity, music and dance, and community and the environment; to spread happiness in their local communities and institutions.
You can see highlights from the first half of the Torch Relay here:
You can find out here more about the students who were selected to run with the Torch:
Andrew Clough, a student at the University of Warwick, ran through Warwick on the 1st July with the Olympic Torch. Andrew was nominated for his work with the Canoe and Canoe Polo teams both at the University and in the community. You can read more about Andrew here
Seb Wilson Dyer Gough, a student at Leeds University was nominated for his work the Leeds University Athletics Club. He has used both his sporting talents as well as his coaching skills to support numerous athletes both at home and whilst at University. He ran with the torch in Lincoln on Wednesday 27th June. Read about his story here
Noelle Supple ran with the Torch in Wrangle, Lincolnshire on Wednesday 27th June. Noelle was nominated in recognition of her sporting abilities both as an athlete and a horsewoman. You can read about her nomination here.
Steve Barnard a postgraduate student at Bangor University ran with the Torch on Friday 22nd June in Morecambe. Steve was nominated for the huge amount of volunteering work he has undertaken, utilising his first aid skills at major athletic and sporting events. You can read his story here.
John Wright ran with the Torch on Thursday 21st June in Mayport, Cumbria. A student at Southampton University he was nominated for his work supporting the Athletics club a the University as well as his work coaching athletics both at University but also in his home town in Allonby, Cumbria. You can read about his story here.
Chris Heaps ran with the Torch on Friday 15th June in Ashington. A student from Northumbria University studying for a PGCE Chris was nominated for his fundraising activity. You can read about why he was nominated here.
Allys Clipsham from Grantham, studying at Bangor University was nominated for her inspirational work as a female referee alongside her selfless commitment to volunteering. You can read about her story here. Allys ran with the torch on Monday 28th May in Bangor.
Lousie Goux-Wirth a sabbatical officer at University West of England students’ union was nominated by a colleague at the student’s union for all the work she has done supporting and inspiring students. She ran with the torch on Monday 21st May in Bideford, Devon. Find out more about her story here.
More stories to come as it gets closer to the date the the Future Flames run with the London 2012 Olympic Torch.