Angmering boy ‘over the moon’ with his torch visit

Outraged, his mum Rachael, contacted the Gazette last week, after the shambles at the park and ride facility in Ford meant her family missed out on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the historic event.

However, hours after the article was published, local East Preston torchbearer Chris Shore was so touched by Lloyd’s bitter disappointment, he decided to pay a visit to the youngster’s home on Tuesday – torch in hand.

Rachel said: “Lloyd couldn’t believe it. He was so excited.

“He got into bed with me at about 5.45 in the morning saying, ‘mummy, mummy, the torch is coming today! I’m going to see the torch today!’.

“He was absolutely over-the-moon with it all.”

Chris, who was a torchbearer in Dorset, stopped by the family home in the afternoon and let Lloyd hold the torch and play with it, for almost 30 minutes.

“He was brilliant with him,” said Rachael. “Chris was really friendly and it was so kind of him to offer to come round.”

For a stunned Lloyd, the experience has been one that he will never forget.

He said it was certainly something that his school friends would be jealous of.

“I was so excited when I heard that I would be able to see the torch.

“It was really good fun. I got to hold it and have my picture taken with it, I have been telling everyone about it,” he said.

Rachael wished to thank Chris for taking the time to see her son.

“It’s nice to have someone read an article like that and just want to help. He’s made my son’s summer.”