Gairloch teenager's Olympic delight
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A WESTER Ross teenager spoke yesterday of the “amazing” moment she learned she had been chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime honour.
Topping a month in which she has faced down her fear of heights by leaping out of an aeroplane and attended a swanky music business showcase in London, Rhoda Tippett discovered this week she has been chosen as a 2012 London Olympics torchbearer.
The plucky 18-year-old Gairloch lass was nominated months ago by her mum Janet.
A community activist who has lent a helping hand to a variety of causes, Rhoda will now be part of the national torchbearing procession which will see 8,000 people across the UK carry the flame as part of a 70-day procession aimed at capturing the public imagination ahead of the big event.
Rhoda will be part of the Inverness leg of the event on June 9.
She said: “I am really into my sport and this will be an amazing experience. I knew a few people had nominated me but couldn’t believe it when they sent me the e-mail as there were thousands nominated.
“I was truly amazed but wasn’t allowed to tell anyone till Monday this week. It was hard to keep quiet when everyone is asking you what you’ve got planned next. I can’t wait!”
Rhoda celebrated her 18th birthday recently by taking on a 10,000-ft parachute jump which raised £1,536 for Highland Hospice.
She admitted: “It was an amazing experience but I would never do it again. It was a crazy idea. I have always wanted to do a skydive but am scared of heights — so that’s why I decided to so it for charity.”
Rhoda, who has also supported Ross-shire Women’s Aid, had previously run 10k events but “nothing quite like that”.
She admitted the prospect of leaping made her feel physically ill. “I felt so sick it was horrible. But when the parachute opened it was a relief and that bit was so peaceful and nice and calm. When I landed on the ground I was so happy I had done it — it’s something you will never forget.”
The former Gairloch High School pupil was also the winner of two tickets to the BRIT awards, run by local radio station Two Lochs Radio. That included an expenses-paid visit to the 2012 awards plus a night at a luxury hotel and two days at leisure in London. Rhoda also invited lucky pal Danielle Warren of Flowerdale to accompany her to the event.
