Commonwealth Games: Salvationists get set for Queen's Baton Relay

With fewer than 50 days until the Commonwealth Games gets underway in Glasgow, we caught up with the Salvationists who have been chosen to take part in the Queen's Baton Relay.

On Monday June 23, Sports Ministry Co-ordinator Bobby Weir and Cumbernauld corps officer Captain Stephen Moir will each carry the baton as recognition of the inspirational work they are doing in their communities.

The pair were nominated by Major Russell Wyles, Divisional Commander for West Scotland, who said: "I am extremely proud of Bobby and Stephen and will be there on the day to cheer them on."

Bobby’s story

Sports Ministry Co-ordinator Bobby is also the bandmaster at his local corps and admitted he is proud to have been picked as a batonbearer.

The 23-year-old former Airdrie footballer said: “It means so much to me that people think I deserve this opportunity. I was born into a Salvation Army family and brought up as such so to be able to represent the church and charity is very special.

listen to ‘Bobby Weir - Queen's Batonbearer’ on Audioboo

“I was nominated by a number of people from my own corps in Airdrie and also by my family because of my youth work. I started a youth club that is attended by around 20 young people every week and this has been going strong for two years.

“I’m very much looking forward to the whole community coming together when the Queen’s Baton passes through the town.”

Stephen’s story

Captain Stephen, who is originally from Coventry, says it's a real honour to have been selected to be a batonbearer.

The 42-year-old said: “This is a great opportunity to show people that The Salvation Army is active and busy in the local community and are passionate about reaching people of all agesl through sport.

listen to ‘Captain Stephen Moir - Queen's Batonbearer’ on Audioboo

"As well as helping me keep fit, sport has also been a great way of engaging young people with the Gospel and there are lots of parallels between sport and faith. In the Bible it speaks about reaching for a goal, it speaks about working as a team and it speaks about serving other people.

"Sport is a real foundation as we strive to be like Jesus and to reach people with the Gospel, particularly children in a real and relevant way."