by Angela Cole

acole@thekmgroup.co.uk

They will have made history earlier in the day, but eight Kent-based torchbearers won’t be putting their feet up after carrying the Olympic torch.
Instead, they will be staging another first when they take part in the KM Maidstone Mile together on Friday, July 20.
Which means if Maidstone people don’t manage to catch a glimpse of the torch as it makes its way through town, they will still be able to see more than one, as the runners plan to carry their torches aloft as they complete the mile.
The KM Mile, which will start at 6pm in the town centre, will be followed by a mile swim in the River Medway.
Maidstone Rotarian Clive Bradburn, who will be carrying the torch in Redhill, Surrey, earlier in the day, has brought the group together, who are all either carrying the torch in Maidstone or elsewhere in the South East.
They include 16-year-old Beth Coombe-Jones, who is a member of the Maidstone-based San Fairy Ann Cycling Club and will be carrying the flame in Canterbury.
Also joining them will be 13-year-old Jed Pearson, a Crossroads Young Carer, from Bicknor, who with his brother Jake, 16, is a carer for mum Claire.
Others include Mel Moore, Julia Lavington, Jackie Venn and Julia Chilcott.
The latest recruit is Mike Jennings, who will be carrying the flame in Gravesend, and will be one of three torchbearers to take on both the mile and the swim – the others being Mr Bradburn and Beth.
Mr Bradburn, of Waldron Drive, Maidstone, said: “We are quite excited knowing that to the best of my knowledge, we will be the only gathering of eight torchbearers in an event like this in the UK. I am sure the KM readers will love to be there if not running, to support and enjoy the spectacle.”

Proceeds from the mile will go to the Heart of Kent Hospice. For details visit www.maidstonemaile.com