DB Schenker: Olympic torch carried by railway engineer

by Press Release on 2012-06-26 06:32:35

Trevor Atkinson, a railway engineer, has proudly carried the Olympic Torch as part of its relay through the City of Leeds on Sunday 24 June 2012.

Trevor Atkinson, 57, an Emergency Breakdown team member and rail freight wagon fitter for DB Schenker Rail UK at Knottingley, West Yorkshire, was nominated by his wife Janet to carry the Torch in recognition of his extensive charity work over many years.

Trevor has spent over 20 years doing voluntary work and fundraising for a range of charities.  Over that period, through sponsored marathons, mountain climbs and even walking from John O’Groats to Lands End, he has raised over £100,000 to support the work of a range of charities, including Wakefield Hospice and Cancer Research UK.  Trevor has also contributed his own time to volunteer for organisations such as the Moorland Rescue Team and Save a Life Campaign.

Trevor ran with the Torch from the junction of Winthorpe Street in the suburb of Potternewton in Leeds, finishing at Meanwood Valley Grove on Stainbeck Road.

Janet Atkinson, wife and nominator of Trevor Atkinson, said: “Trevor is worthy of the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch due to the quiet, unassuming way he spent over two decades raising funds for charity. He gives his all to support charities whatever the cause, be it organising a local litter pick or participating in a sponsored triathlon. I’m proud of all his charity work, and especially proud that he was chosen to carry the Torch.”

Trevor Atkinson said: “I was absolutely shocked when I realised I had been selected to carry the Torch. I was humbled by the whole experience and hope that in someway it has helped raise the importance of supporting charities in whatever way you can. I am looking forward to the Olympics opening ceremony and seeing the flame I helped carry light the Torch in the stadium.”

Alain Thauvette, Chief Executive of DB Schenker Rail UK, said: “It is a huge personal honour for Trevor to have been selected to carry the Torch, in recognition of his continuing commitment to a wide range of charities. As DB Schenker Rail was the main rail freight supplier for the construction phase of the Olympic Games, seeing one of our employees carry the flame is a source of great pride across the entire company.”

DB Schenker Rail UK operated a terminal at Bow East and ran rail freight services for the construction phase of the Olympic Games, helping the Olympic Delivery Authority exceed their carbon reduction targets for construction work through a higher than expected use of rail freight rather than road haulage.