Carrying the baton high for Heywood: Steven Kay and Chris Furlong carry Queen's baton ahead of 2022 Commonwealth Games

Batonbearers Steven Kay and Chris Furlong

Two of Heywood’s fundraising legends carried the baton high during the Queen’s Baton Relay on Saturday (16 July).

Both Steven Kay, a postman who has raised over £55,000 for the Heywood Foodbank, and former councillor Chris Furlong were chosen earlier this year to bear the baton ahead of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, which will take place from 28 July to 8 August.

Both men carried the baton – which contains the Queen’s message to the Commonwealth – for a section of the route, with Steven handing the baton to Chris. The pair were greeted in Bolton by Coronation Street actor Anthony Cotton, famous for his role as Sean Tully.

Steven said that carrying the baton was “an honour for my family and I, a day that will live long in my memory.”

He added: “Thanks everyone for your unbelievable support. This is for the town just as much as for me.”

Steven began raising money for Heywood Foodbank during the first lockdown in March 2020, and has raised well over £55,000 since then. 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.

Chris, who is the chair of the Back O’Th Moss community centre, described the day as “a once-in-a-lifetime experience with such inspiring people,” adding: “a heartfelt thanks to the people in our community who nominated me.”

Chris volunteers for several local causes, including Army of Kindness, and has raised funds for both Middleton and Heywood Foodbanks. He and his wife Kerrie also carry out deliveries for those in need.

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 having carried 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.