Tuesday, February 2, 2010
On Christmas Eve the Olympic Torch arrived in the Forest City and was carried into Victoria Park by a well-known London Icon. It was day 56 of the torch run, and Londoner John Davidson, former broadcaster and founder of the charity Jesse's Journey, ran the final leg of the run before a two-day sojourn for Christmas.
John was replaced by his son Jesse to finish the London run. Jesse succumbed to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in November, 2009, making the event bittersweet for most, especially those who knew Jesse.
John and his wife Sherene founded the well-known Jesse's Journey after John pushed Jesse in his wheelchair across Ontario in 1995. The charity has been raising money for the rare form of Muscular Dystrophy ever since.
It was a bitterly cold afternoon, but one filled with both Canadian and Christmas spirit, from the Canadian flags waving in the winter wind, to the Olympic red and white mittens. It was a wonderful way to spend Christmas Eve and share with my family and at least 3,000 other proud Londoners.
John Davidson wipes a tear after delivering the torch on Christmas Eve