Young people from the Diocese of Salford converged on Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton on Thursday 15th September 2011 for the launch of a Relay of Prayer leading up to the London Olympic Games in 2012.

Pupils gather around the stage, with logo designed by a primary school boy.

In welcome sunshine, over 1650 boys and girls, 'ambassadors' from more than 200 Catholic primary and secondary schools in the diocese, witnessed an impressive two and a half hour event presented from a temporary stage in the playground of the Salesian school. About 1000 adults were also present, including teachers, technical staff and celebrities connected with the world of sport. Br Kevin O'Donnell SDB, the school chaplain, was closely involved with the organising committee which worked for several months to prepare the day and 30 students from Thornleigh came to help the stewards.

In the course of the afternoon the pupils found out which Olympic country their school would be twinned with. The schools will research their adopted country to find out about the faiths, customs and practices of the area and learn about the lives of children and young people in that country. They will also discover which athletes their country is taking to the Games and remember them and all the Olympic and Paralympic athletes in their prayers and assemblies.

Starting in November, a specially made Olympic Torch will make its way through all the Catholic schools of the diocese, a journey of 405 miles. The pupil ambassadors from each school will present a prayer assembly on their adopted country to the next school on the route. After keeping the Torch for a day, the ambassadors from that school will carry it by walking, running, cycling, or other means to the next school, and so on.

Bolton Manager, Owen Coyle, with the Thornleigh head boy, head girl and deputy head boy.

Among the celebrities were the opera star Sean Ruane, who performed some of the songs he has sung at major sporting events, Owen Coyle, the manager of Bolton Wanderers Football Club, and Assistant Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, who has a special responsibility for all Olympic events in Manchester. There were also several Olympic athletes. Bishop Terence Braine, the bishop of Salford, sent a recorded message of encouragement which was projected onto the large display screen.