We made sure Matthew’s family didn’t miss his Olympic moment (From Ledbury Reporter)

We made sure Matthew’s family didn’t miss his Olympic moment

11:00am Saturday 9th June 2012 in News

WHEN we heard that a Malvern family had missed the chance to capture their own memories of their sport-loving son carrying the Olympic torch through the town, the Malvern Gazette stepped in to give them the next best thing.

Matthew Ash, aged 18, of Pickersleigh Road, carried the famous flame through Malvern Link in front of thousands of cheering onlookers.

His proud parents Felicity and Paul and sister Caroline had hoped and expected to be cheering him on from the front row. But their plans were scuppered when, despite arriving at exactly the right spot and in good time, they were misdirected by one of the official stewards who assured them they were incorrectly positioned and that Matthew’s leg would be starting from further along the road.

“We followed that advice and because of it we were caught out of position and unable to get back to the right spot to see Matthew,”

said Mrs Ash.

“We did see him from about 100 metres away but that was it.

“It did mar the day a little, to say the least, especially seeing as we had originally arrived at exactly the right place and in plenty of time.”

Fortunately for the Ash family the Gazette was on hand when Matthew was running with the torch, and was delighted to pay them a visit to hand over a large, framed photograph of his big day.

Mrs Ash said she was delighted with the gesture, and that it had helped make the day a little more special for them.

“Matthew still had a fantastic time and really enjoyed it, but as he ran he was wondering where we were,” she said.

“It was a very momentous day for us and we are so proud of him.

We know that there were thousands of applicants and so we were thrilled for Matthew to be chosen.”