By John Connell

Last updated at 12:14, Wednesday, 29 August 2012

A serviceman chosen to represent his country at tonight’s Paralympic opening ceremony said it will be among the proudest moments in his life.

Andrew Campbell

Andrew Campbell, 30, of Richmond Green in Carlisle, a leading engineer and technician in the Royal Navy, will be one of eight representatives from the armed services marching into the Olympic Stadium with the Union Jack.

The flag will then be hoisted into the air to God Save the Queen.

Andrew, who went to Newman School, said: “It’s a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s the sort of thing that will never happen again and standing on the podium while they play the national anthem will be one of the proudest moments in my life.”

When an email went around last year asking people with a sporting background to volunteer to take part on the ceremony, Andrew put his name forward without hesitation.

He has previously represented Team GB at the Indoor Rowing Championships in Boston, coming 31st out of 400 competitors.

Watching the spectacle on TV will be his three daughters Jessica, nine, Isla, four, Alanna, two, and wife Nicola. His mum Margaret and and dad John, live inSilloth.

Nicola, said: “Both myself and the children are extremely proud.

“Andrew is into fitness big time and has represented Great Britain in the rowing and has been to America a couple of times. It is nice to watch him doing something that his part of his job and it will be great for the kids to see him on TV.”

The opening ceremony will be headed by Stephen Daldry, who directed Billy Elliot and will see a cast of over 3,000 volunteers.

The event will feature more than 4,000 athletes from 162 nations parade into the Olympic Stadium.

There will also be acrobatic performances on a 35 metre-high rig above the stadium floor.

However, organisers have been tight-lipped about some of the events lined up for the ceremony.

The evening will culminate in the lighting of the Paralympic Cauldron, which will burn throughout the Paralympic Games.

First published at 11:28, Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk