Fellow employees at Drax Power Station were among the first supporters to cheer Peter Heald today after he carried the Olympic Torch through Selby.

Peter, 59, a mechanical craftsperson in the maintenance team in materials handling at the power station, completed his leg of the town centre watched by thousands of people.

He was then met by seven colleagues from Drax who had acted as Olympic Relay Route Stewards for the route through Camblesforth.

He said: “Ever since my name came up everyone at Drax has encouraged me and wished me well for today. It’s been a more amazing experience than I dreamed and will give me so many memories. Of course, for that I have to thank Lloyds TSB and Drax for making it possible.”

Peter was nominated through Lloyds TSB, a banking partner of Drax, in recognition of his battle to overcome throat cancer and tireless support for the Scouts.

Peter Emery, production director at Drax, said: “We’re all thrilled for Peter. He’s shown great courage and determination over recent months and the fact that he was there, carrying the flame, is a tribute to his personal belief and fighting spirit.”

For more information, please contact:

Melanie Wedgbury/Mandy Empson
Drax Power 01757 618381
Sam Addie/Richard Harrison
Imagen PR 01943 468778

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

1. Drax is the owner of Drax Power Station, the largest, cleanest and most efficient coal-fired power station in the UK. The capacity of the power station’s six generators is 4,000MW. At current output levels it meets some 7% of the UK’s electricity needs.
2. Drax has been burning sustainable biomass to generate electricity since 2003. During 2011, Drax undertook extensive biomass R&D work and has confidence in the technical capability to transform Drax Power Station into a predominantly biomass fuelled generator.

Drax Power Limited employee Peter Heald