Heywood’s fundraising postman chosen as a bearer for the Queen’s Baton Relay

Heywood’s fundraising postman, Steven Kay, has been chosen as one of the bearers for the Queen’s Baton Relay ahead of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games later this year.

Ste found out he had been chosen on 15 April, after he was nominated for one of the North West positions. He will carry the baton on Saturday 16 July.

Of being nominated and chosen, Ste said the honour was “up there” with his “proudest moments.”

He added: “I’m so proud of the community and how they’ve got behind me to raise an unbelievable amount. A massive thank you for all my support; the honour is as much for the community as well.”

Since the start of the first lockdown in March 2020, Ste has raised over £50,000 for Heywood Foodbank.
 

Read more: Heywood postman’s fancy dress fundraising for foodbankPublished: 05 July 2020

A regular fundraiser for the charity, he was presented the Christmas Star Award by BBC North West Tonight for his fundraising efforts in December 2020.
 

Read more: Postman given BBC Christmas Star award after raising over £17k for Heywood FoodbankPublished: 15 December 2020

Batonbearers have been selected in all nine regions of England, and reflect the diversity in communities across the country. Each batonbearer will carry the baton for a section of the route, with the North West carrying the baton on 16 and 17 July.

The relay began on 7 October 2021 during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where the Queen placed her message to the Commonwealth into the baton.

In total, the Queen’s baton will spend 294 days travelling to all 72 Commonwealth nations and territories, bringing together communities from across the globe in the run up to Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The baton will first arrive in London on 2 June for a four-day celebration before heading off internationally again.

It will return to England on 4 July for a 25-day tour before concluding at Opening Ceremony of Birmingham 2022 on 28 July.

In total, 8,000 nominations were submitted during a public nomination campaign in January 2022.

Nominees had to hit certain criteria, including that they:

• Are always willing to take on a challenge and has a unique and inspiring story
• Have made a meaningful contribution to sport, education, the arts, culture, or charity
• Are a figure of inspiration that positively challenges others to achieve their best
• Have taken on a challenge or cause and made a positive impact within their community