Andrew is the youngest batonbearer to be nominated in Dundee. He recently created a Facebook page to promote the Dundee City of Culture bid in an effort to raise the cities profile and attract more people to visit. The page gained a huge amount of interest and was so well received that he was asked to become a youth digital ambassador by the WEDUNDEE bid team.
Scotland’s sunniest city greeted the Queen’s Baton Relay with open arms as the baton marked two weeks in Scotland in the city of Dundee.
The day began when the Queen’s Baton was carried into Broughty Ferry by powerboat; in the hands of Dundee’s iconic Beano character Dennis the Menace. From there the baton ventured onwards to the 600 year old historic settings of Broughty Ferry Castle. It then passed the 190 year old ship Frigate Unicorn and not long after, the RSS Discovery, the last traditional wooden-masted ship to be built in Britain. Amongst other highlights of the day, the relay will called in at Dundee Science Centre, Magdalen Green and Lochee Park.
The baton was carried during the day by over 100 Dundonian’s who each have made a difference to the lives of others. Three years ago University of Dundee medical student Elizabeth Ferris suffered a spinal cord Injury which resulted in her becoming a full-time wheelchair user. Due to a lack of options around the Tayside area Elizabeth took it upon herself to found the Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Rugby League Club and has gone on to represent Scotland at the Rugby League World Cup.
Also receiving the baton was Mike Cordiner who gave up his paid employment to set up and run a homeless charity within Dundee called Eagles Wings Trust. Mike is involved in running a soup kitchen most nights in the week, visiting hostels and hospitals, providing a drop in centre to offer advice and support as well as running a gardening project.
Dundee's Citizen of the Year for 2013 Joyce McIntosh was another venerable Dundonian to become a batonbearer. Joyce is a trustee in the national charity Get Kids Going, which campaigns to give disabled children and young people the opportunity to participate in sport. She is also a keen runner and has participated in over 29 marathons to raise money for numerous causes.
The Queen’s baton was brought back to Dundee’s city square in the evening where a ceilidh got the party in full swing.