THE founder of a “Secret Santa” charity in Didcot has carried the official baton for the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay.
Courtney Hughes, founder of Secret Santa 365, represented the South East by carrying the baton on Thursday (7) last week on its journey to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
The 24-year-old, who is a student nursing associate, said she was “shocked but honoured” to be nominated for the role after her name was put forward by volunteers at her charity and her family.
READ MORE: Disabled pensioner to brave 800ft wing walk in memory of her husband
Wow!! What an amazing moment for you @BcavHughes carrying the Commonwealth Queen's Baton representing the South East. #QBR2022 #Birmingham2022 #BB22 #southeastengland #bbcsouth #queensbatonrelay #commonwealthbatonbearer #CommonwealthGames pic.twitter.com/Bz5kuUOSj7
— Secret Santa 365 (@SantaCharity) July 7, 2022
She was met by Dame Kelly Holmes in London and handed the baton to the next baton bearer outside 10 Downing Street.
The Queen’s Baton Relay, which is an annual event in its 16th year, started on October 7 last year with Her Majesty The Queen placing her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton.
The Baton is now on its 294-day long journey to every corner of the Commonwealth. It started in London, then Birmingham, followed by Cyprus, Malta, Kenya and more.
It came to England on Monday, July 4 and will finish its journey in Birmingham at the opening ceremony of the games on Thursday, July 28 where the final Batonbearer will return the Baton to the Queen.
READ MORE: Who is behind Truck Festival's HILARIOUS Twitter account?
Miss Hughes founded Secret Santa 365 about 10 years ago to support vulnerable members of the community who would have otherwise been alone at Christmas.
The charity has supported thousands of people in Oxfordshire with over 95,000 essential items and wrapped gifts.
-
Read more from this author
This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.
Gee covers Wallingford and Didcot.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland
A message from our Editor
Thank you for reading this story and supporting the Oxford Mail.
If you like what we do please consider getting a subscription for the Oxford Mail and in return we’ll give you unrestricted access with less adverts across our website from the latest news, investigations, features, and sport.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok for more.
You can also join the conversation in our Facebook groups: stay ahead of traffic alerts here, keep up to date with the latest from court here, share your favourite memories of Oxford here, get your daily dose of celebrity news here and take some time out with news that will make you smile.
If you’ve got a story for our reporters, send us your news here. You can also list an event for free here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here