WORTHINGTON Primary School had a close encounter with the Olympic Torch this week when mother-of-two, Helen Allen, took it to show the pupils.

33-year-old Helen carried the Olympic Torch in Chester in May alongside World Champion and Olympic Gymnast, Beth Tweddle.

Helen, who works as a nurse at Wythenshawe Hospital, took the Torch into the reception and year one classes to give pupils and staff the chance to touch it and learn what it was like to be a Torchbearer, ahead of the relay coming to Trafford this weekend.

Helen said of her experience: “It was an incredible day. I’ve never seen so many thousands of genuinely happy and excited people.

"Being in the Olympic convoy was amazing – we were smiling and waving at people for two hours non-stop. It was like being a celebrity. A buzzing atmosphere and true privilege – I loved every second of it!”

Helen, founder of Manchester-based charity PEPAIDS, says she will happily take the Torch into other schools for any donation to her charity, which works with some of Zambia’s poorest children.

For details or to contact Helen, visit www.PEPAIDS.org