The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games baton relay visited the Manx Telecom store in Strand Street, Douglas, on Saturday [May 17]. Customers had their photo taken with the baton which visited the Island as part The Queen’s Baton Relay and involves a 118,000 mile journey to all Commonwealth nations and territories. The store visit was all part of a celebration to mark Manx Telecom’s role as a Team Isle of Man Champion which is a fundraising initiative to support the Island’s national team.

Mike Dee, Manx Telecom CEO, said:
“We are very proud to be a Team Isle of Man Champion and to be playing a part in supporting the efforts of our sportsmen and sportswomen to represent the Island at the Commonwealth Games. Welcoming The Queen’s Baton Relay to the store was a great occasion and enabled our customers to share in the excitement and anticipation we all feel for this summer’s Commonwealth Games.”

The Champions initiative was organised by the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association (IOMCGA) which is a registered charity and relies upon fundraising events and donations to fund Team Isle of Man’s participation at the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games. The Queen’s Baton Relay is an integral part of the build-up of every Commonwealth Games, and the Glasgow 2014 relay began last October at Buckingham Palace when Her Majesty placed her message to the Commonwealth inside the baton. It arrived on the Island on May 16 from the Guernsey and Jersey legs of the relay for a four day visit before leaving on May 19 to continue its journey in Northern Ireland. The relay will culminate at the opening ceremony at Celtic Park in Glasgow on July 23.

Image: The Glasgow 2014 baton at the Manx Telecom store with Team Isle of Man competitors and (front left) Andrew Honour, Manx Telecom Head of Commercial Sales, and (second from right) Mike Dee, Manx Telecom CEO.