Prince Harry has invited disaster mapping charity MapAction to fly the flag for volunteering in the Olympic Torch Relay as it passes Buckingham Palace on 26 July, the day before the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Olympic Torch relay organisers asked Prince Harry to choose a torchbearer from one of his charities to take part in the relay at Buckingham Palace.
Wai-Ming Lee (known as Ming), an active MapAction volunteer, has been given the honour of carrying the Olympic torch as it passes Buckingham Palace, where it will be viewed by Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Ming was chosen to represent MapAction’s team of skilled volunteers, who fly to disaster zones to provide mapped information that guides life-saving aid to people in need: communities cut off by flood water, or even individuals still trapped in collapsed buildings. Ming first joined the charity in 2004 and deployed to such humanitarian emergencies as the Indian Ocean (“Boxing Day”) tsunami in 2004 and Pakistan floods of 2010. When he’s not flying out to disaster zones, he helps the charity develop its technical capabilities, so its operations are as streamlined and effective as possible.
Wai-Ming Lee says: “I am incredibly proud to carry the Olympic torch for MapAction. In doing so, I am representing the tireless work of some 60 volunteers who contribute their mapping skills, so that lives can be saved in humanitarian emergencies.”
Nigel Woof, MapAction’s chief executive says: “We would like to thank our patron Prince Harry and the Olympic Torch Relay organisers for asking MapAction to fly the flag for volunteering in the Olympic torch relay. Today is a celebration of the humanitarian motives, commitment and drive of MapAction’s very special volunteers. I am humbled by their selfless efforts that help get aid to where it’s needed most.”
MapAction has already deployed to six humanitarian crises in 2012, in Africa, Asia and South America, and is ready to help wherever and whenever its emergency mapping service is needed.
To support MapAction, people can text MAPS36 and either £2, £5 or £10 (e.g. MAPS36 £5) to 70070. The text message is free and all of the donation will be passed to MapAction. For more information, visit: justtextgiving.co.uk
Itinerary:
Details of the route for the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday 26 July can be found at: http://www.london2012.com/mm/Document/Documents/General/01/25/70/89/Day69map_Neutral.pdf
The torch is scheduled to arrive at Buckingham Palace at 18:38 hrs.
Interviews and media facilities:
Both Wai-Ming Lee and Nigel Woof will be available for interviews on Wednesday 25 July and Thursday 26 July. Please contact Nigel Woof on +44 (0)1494 56 88 99 or mobile +44 (0)7557 430 440 to arrange.
MapAction will also have a group of volunteers available for interview at Canada Gate (Green Park), off Constitution Hill, during the afternoon of Thursday 26 July. For more information, please contact Nigel Woof on +44 (0)7557 430 440 or Chloe Browitt on +44 (0)7939 287 852.
For information about media facilities at Buckingham Palace call +44 (0)207 024 5506.
For all contacts on Friday 27 July or at any other time after the event please contact Roger Wedge on +44 (0)7990 595 779 or rwedge@mapaction.org.
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