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EDITIONS
Monday, 17 June, 2002, 07:05 GMT 08:05 UK
Falklands hero carries baton
Robert Owen at Conwy Castle
The baton has passed many famous landmarks in Wales
Falklands war veteran Simon Weston has picked up the Queen's Jubilee Baton on the final leg from Wales to England.

Mr Weston, from Nelson, south Wales, picked up the torch in Newport on Monday morning as it made its way to the border, bound for Manchester and the Commonwealth Games.

Simon Weston OBE
Simon Weston was given an OBE

The former Welsh Guardsman became a household name after surviving the inferno that swept the Sir Galahad troopship when it was bombed during the 1980s conflict.

He suffered horrific burns and psychological damage, but became a role model for many by showing how life-changing injuries could be conquered.

And he went on to set up his own charity, Weston Spirit, aimed at encouraging young people to overcome adversity.

His work earned him an OBE in the 1992 Queen's Birthday Honours.

"Simon's courageous triumph over adversity has touched many people around world and is an example of what this Relay is all about - the power of the human spirit to inspire," said Di Henry, event director of the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay.

The Sir Galahad
The Sir Galahad was hit by Argentine bombers

Mr Weston is one of 5,000 community heroes, athletes, and sporting stars taking part in the Queen's Jubilee Relay.

The baton has been travelling around the UK on its way to open the XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester on 25 July.

By mid morning on Monday, it was expected to have reached Gloucester, with World Cup hat trick hero, Sir Geoff Hurst, taking over.

Sir Geoff will hand it to Manchester 2002 Chief Executive Francis Done to mark the baton's arrival in England.

On Sunday it was revealed that a 35-year-old man had been charged by police after the baton was grabbed from a runner's hand.

It was snatched as Wrexham runner Daniel Wilkinson passed through the town of Connah's Quay, in north Wales, on Saturday afternoon.

The man arrested by police has been charged with using threating, insulting and abusive language and behaviour, following the incident outside The Boathouse public house.


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