Lauren Harris, Olympic torch bearer. Picture Steve Reid/Portsmouth Evening News

Honorary Little Ship Club member Lauren Harris has been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch through Bournemouth on 13 July. Lauren was nominated for her sailing and fundraising activities with the 'Around and Around' sailing charity. Lauren visited the club in April with colleagues from the charity and gave a fascinating talk on her very varied sailing experience as well as her role as leader of the Raymarine 'Lively Lady' project to fundraise for a complete refit of Sir Alec Rose's legendary yacht.

Lauren, aged 22, hails from Chichester, has passed her Yachtmaster exam and volunteers with Around and Around to assist young people with limited opportunities to learn about team work, trust and confidence building through sailing skills. The charity is working with the Raymarine Lively Lady Project, led by Alan Priddy, which succeeded in completing a circumnavigation on Lively Lady in 2006-8.

Work is underway to fundraise and refit for Lively Lady's third circumnavigation, which will see another group of Hampshire-based young people given the opportunity to develop life skills while sailing round the world.

Congratulations to Lauren from all at the club!