A YORK schoolboy who has made speeches in Number 10 Downing Street and a wheelchair athlete from North Yorkshire will be among the Olympic Torch bearers, the Press can reveal.

Jamie Green, 17, a pupil at Bootham School, will take time out from A-level exams to carry the flame in Scarborough on June 18, and George Conway, of Easingwold School, will put aside his grief for his mother, Rachel, who recently died of cancer to take over the torch on June 20. Both are heavily involved in the wheelchair charity Whizz-Kidz.

Also among the 8,000 bearers will be former principal education officer for North Yorkshire County Council Michael Dobson, 71, of South Kilvington near Thirsk, who has undertaken 15 unpaid roles and 187 paid roles in the voluntary sector since retiring in 1995.

Other names are expected to be announced today.

Jamie thanked Iris Barner of Whizz-Kidz for putting his name forward. He said: “I think it was just because I represent Whizz-Kidz a lot at events locally and around the country.

“It is a privilege to act as a voice for disabled people not just in my area but around the country.”

He is the official children’s patron for the charity and on its behalf has made speeches in the House of Commons and House of Lords and at Downing Street.

George is confined to a wheelchair by a rare muscular disease, but still manages to represent his school at swimming and fishing. When his mother died, he drew on his courage and strength of character to support his father, Shaun, and sister, Eloise.

“I am overjoyed – this is an opportunity of a lifetime and I cannot wait for June 20,” he said.

Mr Dobson has done voluntary work for Barnados, Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme, scouts, the Prince’s Trust, youth services, Connexions, St John’s Ambulance, local schools and teaches watercolour to young people in prison, community groups and others.

“I am delighted to be part of the relay – it is a great honour and I am very proud, and lucky, to have been chosen,” he said.

The Olympic Torch will travel through Ryedale and down the North and East Yorkshire coast on June 18, pass through Selby on June 19, stop overnight in York and head north via Thirsk on June 20. More details about the Torch Relay will be released today.