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Olympic torch: PC David Rathband's daughter carries flame blindfolded | |
(40 minutes later) | |
The daughter of PC David Rathband, who was blinded by gunman Raoul Moat, has carried the Olympic torch blindfolded in memory of her late father. | |
Mia, 13, ran through Whitburn, near Newcastle, in place of her father who was nominated to take part in the relay but died in February. | |
A torchbearer abseiled down Gateshead's Sage building to start day 29 of the relay which is travelling to href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchrelay/day29" >Durham. | |
Distance running champion Haile Gebrselassie also completed a leg. | |
href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-18203356" >PC David Rathband was shot and blinded by Moat while sat in a patrol car in Newcastle in 2010. | |
Despite his disability, he tried to rebuild his life and set up the Blue Lamp Foundation which helps emergency services personnel injured in the line of duty. | |
On 29 February he was found hanged at his home in Blyth, Northumberland. | |
Following this Mia asked if she could run in his place. | |
In a statement, Mia's mother Kath Rathband said David "would be very proud to see his Mia carry the torch". | |
Following Friday's ride on a zip-wire from the Tyne Bridge, the torch relay continued the theme of unusual methods of travel when it began Saturday's journey shortly after 07:00 BST. | |
TV presenter | TV presenter |
At the start of the day Richard Jackson carried the flame as he abseiled off The Sage, an iconic building which is a centre for musical education, performance and conferences, located on the south bank of the River Tyne. | |
About an hour later, the torch was taken around the athletics track at Gateshead International Stadium - the venue where, in 2006, Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell equalled his own then-world record of 9.77secs for the 100m. | About an hour later, the torch was taken around the athletics track at Gateshead International Stadium - the venue where, in 2006, Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell equalled his own then-world record of 9.77secs for the 100m. |
In South Shields, distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie and founder of the Great North Run Brendan Foster each completed a leg of the journey, as did 1,500m champion Steve Cram in Sunderland. | |
The day's 99-mile journey will see the flame passed between 131 torchbearers, as the relay travels through Gateshead, South Shields, Whitburn, Sunderland, Gateshead: Low Fell, Gateshead: Blaydon, Prudhoe, Stocksfield, Hexham, Riding Mill, Consett, Moorside, Castleside, Tow Law, Esh, Langley Park and ends in Durham. | |
An evening celebration will take place at Durham University Racecourse. | |
In another of the day's highlights, the torch will visit the Angel of the North. | In another of the day's highlights, the torch will visit the Angel of the North. |
The Anthony Gormey-designed steel structure, which is 20m (65ft) and has a wing span of 54m (177ft), has stood on a hill on the southern edge of Low Fell since 1998. | The Anthony Gormey-designed steel structure, which is 20m (65ft) and has a wing span of 54m (177ft), has stood on a hill on the southern edge of Low Fell since 1998. |
The final leg of the relay will be run by BBC presenter Matt Baker, who will carry the torch in his home county of Durham. | The final leg of the relay will be run by BBC presenter Matt Baker, who will carry the torch in his home county of Durham. |
Baker, who co-hosts The One Show and was the runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, will light a cauldron on Durham University Racecourse, which will burn throughout the celebration evening. | Baker, who co-hosts The One Show and was the runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, will light a cauldron on Durham University Racecourse, which will burn throughout the celebration evening. |
The event will include performances by indie rock trio Little Comets and the award-winning Deerness Gymnastics Academy. | The event will include performances by indie rock trio Little Comets and the award-winning Deerness Gymnastics Academy. |
A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame during its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on 27 July. | A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame during its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on 27 July. |