FLAMING CHEEK Boy’s joke paper 2012 torch makes £12,500 for charity on ebay
BIDS GALORE: Left to right, first owner Nik Jason, second bidder Clare Pomeroy, the torch on its journey and the third bidder, Karen Allard WHEN his teacher asked young Logan McKerrow to make an Olympic torch at school, it was his dream assignment.
With all the vigour a five-year-old can muster the youngster set about cutting paper, card and felt to create the torch and its brightly coloured flames.
It was the beginning of an extraordinary “virtual relay” as Logan’s torch was auctioned on eBay and sent from buyer to buyer across the country.
By last night, nearly four weeks later, the little boy had raised more than £12,000 for the Let’s Hear It For Deaf Children campaign being run by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
Speaking from her home in Chard, Somerset, his mother Kerry said: “We never dreamed Logan’s project would be such a hit. I’m so proud of my boy.”
It all started when pupils at Logan’s school were asked to make torches to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics.
“When we came home I said to Logan: ‘People are selling their torches on eBay for pennies that they can give to charities.’ “Logan looked up at me and said: ‘Well, can mine go on eBay?’ ”
The first auction fetched £21 but, instead of keeping the torch for himself, bidder Nik Jason, from Gloucestershire, asked Logan to list the item for sale once more,” said Kerry, 33.
It was then that Logan’s grandfather, Paul Blackburn, suggested the virtual relay. Kerry went on: “The idea was that whoever the next winning bidder was would be sent the torch, have a picture taken with it in their home town, and then sell it on again.” The next bid- der, Clare Pomeroy, of Shifnal, Shropshire, paid £67.
“She took it everywhere,” said Kerry. “She works at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and the real torch relay actually passed by her while she had Logan’s.”
After five days, the torch was relisted and was sent to Karen Allard, of Gillingham, Dorset, who bid £56. The auction finished last night when it sold for £10,900 to a mystery bidder. Visitors to Logan’s Facebook page have donated £1,600.
Kerry says Logan chose the charity himself. “He really liked the picture of the dog with its ear up, which was quite cute and funny,” she said. Rob Panting, for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said: “Logan’s thoughtfulness has been astounding. There are around 47,000 children who could benefit from hearing dogs.
“Apart from the vital help they give, dogs are wonderful companions for children who can feel very isolated by deafness.”
To donate, go to hearingdogs. org. uk/ logan or Logan’s Facebook page.