A golden magic moment for 1948 Olympic Games torchbearer and 2020 Paralympian

An Olympic magic moment brought together a Gold medal winner and a two-time Olympic torch bearer at Right at Home’s Love to Move session in Farnham earlier this month.

Love to Move is a weekly exercise class for older people, particularly those with dementia. Paralympian Kylie Grimes visited Love to Move to exchange Olympic memories with Austin, a client of home care provider, Right at Home GF. Austin was an Olympic torchbearer at both the 1948 and 2012 London Olympics and was also honoured with being chosen to light the cauldron at Stoke Park in Guildford in July 2012.

Kylie Grimes won Gold in wheelchair rugby in the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo and also competed in the Rio Paralympics in 2016 and London Games in 2012. A highly accomplished athlete across multiple sports, Kylie is passionate about the power of sport and exercise to transform lives.

“We are very grateful to have had Kylie visit our Love to Move session to meet Austin as part of our Magic Moments initiative where we support our caregivers to arrange special activities, visits or meet-ups to brighten up clients’ lives,” said Alastair Shanks, Managing Director at Right at Home GF. “Meeting Kylie was a truly amazing experience for Austin and made his day! They reminisced about the excitement and atmosphere of the 2012 Games and how sport has played a great part in their lives.”  

The session made a great impression on Kylie too who said: “I had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people at the Love to Move session. I enjoyed sharing a small part of my journey and my gold medal. Meeting Austin who was a torch bearer at the 1948 London Olympics and the 2012 London Games was also an absolute honour. Sharing our stories, laughing and smiling completely made my day. Memories I’ll have forever.”

Love to Move uses seated exercise to help older people stay active, improve co-ordination and stimulate mental activity. It takes place every Tuesday from 10-11.30am at Farnham Memorial Hall. Tickets are £5 and carers go free. There is no booking required - just turn up. Love to Move uses techniques developed by the British Gymnastic Association. Although devised with people with dementia in mind, the sessions are open to all older people and their carers.