Romiley’s Irene Dixon experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity on Saturday as she helped revive the London 2012 spirit at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games.
The 61-year-old, who works in the Sainsbury’s Store Support Centre in Manchester’s Arndale House, was singled out for a special VIP weekend, including two tickets for the action at the London Olympic Stadium, due to the role she plays as a full-time carer for her 26-year-old daughter Lauren.
Dixon was one of 30 Sainsbury’s colleagues from across the UK who were picked out for the treat in the capital, which also included a meet and greet with athletes such as Commonwealth Games 800m silver medallist Lynsey Sharp, after being nominated by her fellow workers.
And with Lauren, who suffers from severe back problems, also in attendance, Dixon made sure to enjoy the experience as the likes of London 2012 Olympic champions Greg Rutherford and Jessica Ennis-Hill returned to the scene of their triumph from three years ago.
There was also double delight on Saturday as sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and long jumper Shara Proctor broke their own British records within two minutes of each other, leaving Dixon admitting the weekend would live long in the memory.
“It’s amazing in the stadium. I watched the Olympics and Paralympics on TV when I could,” she said.”I would have loved to have been for that but it’s good to finally come down now.
“The atmosphere is brilliant, it makes you want to join in and clap. It’s really good.
“I was put forward by my team leader because I’m a full-time carer for my daughter Lauren. It’s nice to get Lauren out as well as she doesn’t come out very often.
“We went on the London Eye on Friday and then went out for a meal and then on Saturday morning we went on an open top bus ride. The bus guide we had was really good. And then we had a really nice time at the stadium, we’ve been so well looked after.
“All my colleagues are looking forward to me coming back and telling them about it, I made sure to take lots of photos.”
Dixon was not the only Sainsbury’s colleague from Manchester to enjoy the experience either with Salford cashier Ruth Knowles also heading to London.
The 60-year-old was nominated after splitting her time between working and caring for her husband Peter and she admitted visiting the Olympic stadium for the first time had been a special moment.
“I’m a carer for my husband, I have no choice to work as we still have a mortgage to pay but it’s hard to balance the two.
“It’s such a nice opportunity to be able to come away with this weekend and enjoy the athletics, I like watching sport.
“It’s also been nice to explore London. This is my first time to the stadium and it’s brilliant.”
Sainsbury’s is a proud partner of British Athletics. The partnership reflects Sainsbury’s wider commitment to inspiring healthy lifestyles for all, and complements grassroots campaigns such as Active Kids and the Sainsbury’s School Games. www.sainsburys.co.uk
