Islington Community Heroes Olympic ticket winners announced

A have-a-go hero, a youth sports ambassador and a

Queens Diamond Jubilee party fundraiser are amongst 209 Islington 'Community

Heroes' who have won free tickets to London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

events.

Islington Council announced the roll call as excited

nominees gathered in Islington's Assembly Hall on Upper Street, N1, on 19 June

to hear if they had won seats to what is being called 'The Greatest Show on

Earth'.

The Islington Community Heroes scheme was set up to

give exceptional local people the chance to win tickets, paid for by generous

business sponsors.

Residents were asked to tell the council about those

special members of the community - from teenagers to pensioners - and give them

the unique chance to attend The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

Cllr Catherine West, leader of Islington Council

said: "London 2012 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to

see the world's greatest event on our own doorstep.

"We know not everyone has been lucky enough to get

tickets to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"But thanks to Islington's Community Heroes tickets

scheme, over 200 special residents - from teenagers to pensioners - chosen by

their peers, will be able to do just that."

In February 2011, all London authorities were given

the option of purchasing 100 tickets by the London Organising Committee of the

Olympic Games Ltd (LOCOG).

Despite government cuts, Islington Council wanted to

make sure its allocation was secured and reached residents who had made

distinctive and - in some cases - life changing contributions to the

borough.

The result was Islington's Council's 'Community

Heroes' Olympic ticket awards.

Tim Smits, 33, of N1, was nominated following his

brave defence of two pensioners from abusive yobs on a bus, where he was

stabbed twice.

Speaking at the Community Heroes award ceremony on

19 June, where he was told he would get a seat at the Closing Ceremony he said:

"It's been a rough year but to get this award has really lifted my spirits.

"Being around these amazing people is truly

inspirational and humbling. "Going to the Olympic Games will be awesome."

The council's 'once in a lifetime' ticket offer

followed a strong response from local businesses and partners.

Approached by Islington Council to pay for the

tickets, their generosity greatly exceeded the cost of the initial 100 ticket

allocation. It means 209 lucky residents get the chance to go the Olympic and

Paralympic Games - at no cost to the taxpayer.

The Community Heroes Olympic ticket scheme is part

of Islington's sporting summer of celebration - which includes the arrival of

the Olympic Torch and a sporting specatacular community event on Highbury Fields

on 26 July.