Doreen Lawrence said she was “quite emotional” as she carried the Olympic flame in London today in memory of her murdered son Stephen.
She carried the flame in to the forecourt of the learning and development centre in Deptford, south east London, named after the teenager who was killed in an unprovoked race attack.
Waiting crowds cheered and applauded as Mrs Lawrence broke in to a gentle jog.
Mrs Lawrence (59) said the Olympic Flame symbolises many things in common with the Stephen Lawrence Charity Trust, such as strength, unity and diversity.
“It was amazing to be part of the relay this morning, quite an emotional experience to run in to the Stephen Lawrence Centre," she said.
“The torch represents the community and it is fantastic for the torch to be part of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and centre.”
Stephen Lawrence (18) was killed by a gang of white youths as he waited at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London in April 1993.
In January, Gary Dobson (36) and David Norris (35) were the first people convicted over the killing.
Mrs Lawrence is one of 187 torchbearers, including tennis ace Andy Murray who will carry the flame 50km through the London boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley, Croydon, Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth today.