Name: Claire Thorn

From: Sutton Coldfield

How long have you been collecting? 2 years

How many pins do you own? 20

I was a Games Maker on the modern pentathlon team. On the day before the men's competition they were training over at Greenwich Park. The Ukrainian athlete wanted to return to the Athletes Village prior to the shuttle bus and so as I was going that way I escorted him and his coach via tube to the Village.

It was great to chat during the journey and they were very grateful. When we got back to the Village I was handed a Ukrainian Olympic modern pentathlon pin badge. One which I will treasure forever.

Name: Charlotte Elton

From: London

How long have you been collecting? 1 year

How many pins do you own? 45

Besides the Mo-bot that has driven the country bananas, pin trading has to be the non-athletic highlight of my Olympic experience. Working at the Olympic Tennis Event at Wimbledon, I had supplies of tennis pins to make the continent of Africa happy. Seeing pin collections of Laura Robson and Serena Williams grow by the minute I, too, became slightly obsessed to commence a collection of my own, to put it mildly.

Being in daily contact with players of all participating tennis countries, the number grew steadily starting with a Croatia pin, followed by Israel, Serbia, and Brazil. Initially I was the laughing stock of my team but before you could say Andy's your uncle, my manager was competing alongside us to be the proud owner of the most exotic and unique country pins shining from her lanyard. It became a serious business, the fun had long gone.

We no longer made eye-contact; our eyes were cast purely on the lanyard and the golden treasures dangling of it.

My two pin-exchanging highlights were:
1) A 20-minute hard bargaining session with Venus Williams which boiled down to trading my Moscow 1980's pin for her Moldova pin and my stunning colourful Slovakia pin for her exotic unique Puerto Rico pin. It was tough but we both managed to let go.

2) The most glorious and exclusive pin in tennis would be Roger Federer's own pin (RF) of which only about 60 exist. Whoever had one of those pinned to their lanyard was considered as holy. 'How on earth...' would not be an unusual reaction after spotting an RF pin on a mere mortal's lanyard. After a week of sweat, blood and tears, Roger's agent magically agreed to swap an RF for my Angola pin. Thank you dearly Mr Angola-man that I passed (and stopped) in the hallway of the Royal Box at Wimbledon, your pin may have just giving me the ultimate golden pin status.

Name: Anthony Townsend

From: St Albans

How long have you been collected? Since London Olympics

How many pins do you own? Approx 400

I never realised that this craze existed before the London 2012 Olympics. It has been starring me in the face every time I have visited St Albans market. John and Dan from Pins and Things have been selling me toys for my kids for years from Star Wars figures to football cards. I saw their pin badges but thought no more of it.

Then it all changed with our first visit to the Olympics to see the basketball. We came across the Coca-Cola Pin Trading Centre. We talked to a couple of guys inside and they opened our eyes. Imagine, one had even traded a pin with a US president! What sealed my fate was a tap on the shoulder outside. "Didn't we go to the same school?" I bumped into someone who went to the same school as me who turned out to be an Official Pin trader.

That day and our next six visits included some fantastic conversations with people from all over the world including athletes, Games Makers, staff and visitors about all sorts of things. What brought us together was a mutual liking of the Olympics and pin badges. It gave my kids the confidence to approach others to exchange pins and showed us all the generosity and excitement of people at the Games and of the Olympic Movement. The universal language of pins shows no boundaries.

I think my favourite moment was when we bumped in to a group of Spanish Paralympians who showered the kids with Starfish Pins. Their delight when we insisted that they take pins off our lanyards in exchange beamed over their faces. I will remember every single exchange for the rest of my life.

Name: Alan Perry

From: Eden Prairie, MN

How long have you been collecting? 18 years

How many pins do you own? 2000+

My wife and I were attending the men's single's gold medal tennis match on Centre Court at Wimbledon. During a break, I hurried down to the men's restroom so not to miss any of the tennis action. To my dismay, there was a long line extending out from the men's restroom entrance. Mumbling to myself, I got into the line and waited. As we slowly marched forward, I casually noticed the man behind me was wearing a shirt and badge with the NBC-TV (US) logo on it. Being a pin enthusiast and knowing NBC was the US broadcaster, I asked him if, by any chance, he had any pins to trade.

"Sorry, I don't have any to trade," he said, as I noticed he wasn't wearing any pins. As I was about to politely thank him anyway, he said, "But I do have one that I'll give you."

Expecting to see a generic NBC pin, he surprised me when he pulled a large, colourful pin out of his pocket. It was a beautiful pin of the London Bridge with a double-decker bus that moved from one end of the bridge to the other along a slide, and, of course, the NBC logo and Olympic rings. I told him it was a fantastic pin! He beamed with pride and in the midst of a large smile said, "Thank you...I designed it!"

So, here I was... at Wimbledon... near Centre Court... during the London Olympics... watching the men's single's gold medal game..., receiving a free NBC Olympic pin... from the very person who had designed it... What could be better!

Name: Becky Edwards

From: Surrey

How long have you been collecting? 6 months

How many pins do you own? 35

On route to the Olympic Park to watch the men's 200m final and proudly wearing my entire pin collection, I was lucky enough to run into one of the official Torchbearer and his Olympic Torch!

He being very interested in acquiring one of my pins but not having any to trade, offered me an alternative - to swap a pin in return for a picture with the Torch! As you'll see from the picture, I was over the moon! Clearly my most savvy pin trade to date.

October 15 - It seems that more of the elusive venue collection pins have appeared at Glamorous Living.

Name: Albert Summers

From: Weston super Mare

How long have you been collecting? Since July 2012

How many pins do you own? About 30

I was a volunteer meeting and greeting at Heathrow. A Swedish diver and his coach came through arrivals and needed some help. I stepped in and helped the best I could, well I guess I must have done something right as the coach said I must give you something for your help. I said to him that it was a pleasure and there was no need to do anything like that. He said that he had some team pins in his bag and that he would like me to have one. I said thank you and that would be great to have a pin from him. That is when the fun really started.

First of all he opened his rucksack and started looking through everything in there, but was unable to find the pins. He then got the diver to go through his things and still they could not find them. I wanted to make sure they got off to the Olympic Village stress free, so I said not to worry, but thank you for the gesture. The coach was insistent and said he really wanted me to have a pin and I did not want to argue so let him continue. Then all of a sudden he opened up his holdall and started to take everything out, it was full of Team Sweden Male diving trunks and other equipment, before I knew it they were all over the floor in the arrivals hall. I was very embarrassed by this time and tried again to say, look everything was ok they needed to get to the village and I did not really need to be given anything for helping them.

Then the coach suddenly pulled out this small plastic bag that had been right in the corner of his holdall. In it were lots of Team Sweden London 2012 pins. With a big smile he pulled a pin out of the bag and gave it to me. I was of course delighted, but still said to him that I needed to get him to his transport to the Olympic Village. He just threw everything back into his holdall and we rushed over to the waiting coach. I said a big thank you and wished both of them good luck.

The pin was given to me with such meaning and feeling, that it is something I will remember and treasure forever. It also kicked off an interest in pin collecting, but I doubt any pin will ever mean as much to me.

Name: Claire Bernthal

From: Canterbury

How long have you been collecting? Since 21st July 2012, my 1st day as a Games Maker

How many pins do you own? 23

During the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics I had the privilege of volunteering as a Games Maker in the Athlete's Village. I worked as part of the bus transport team. For many of my shifts I worked orange which was team transport and here I helped send off the "perky" Dutch hockey boys, a word which I was introduced to the after several early morning starts and far too much coffee!

So my favourite pin (and my first ever) was from their captain Floris Evers attached to my accreditation with pride! This was followed up by getting the chance to watch them play some sublime hockey from the front row. Happy memories.

Name: Dave Durfey

From: Stoney Creek, Canada

How long have you been collecting? 4 years

How many pins do you own? 100

Like the Star Wars Saga, our London 2012 pin trading story begins a long, long time ago. In 1994 we met, and became very good friends with, a wonderful family from London, England when they lived in Canada for a year. Since then they have been back to visit us numerous times. Although invited countless times, we had not been to see them due to an aversion to flying. As a last ditch effort to get us to come to England, our friends made us promise that we would come if London was awarded the 2012 Olympic Games. We agreed, figuring we would not have to go because at the time Paris was the front runner to win the bid.

To our surprise we were woken in the early morning hours on July 5, 2005 by our British friends asking if we had purchased our plane tickets yet because London had just been selected as host city for the 2012 Olympics. The planning began.

I had heard that pin trading was a big event among Olympic spectators. As luck would have it the 2010 Winter Games were in Canada and I emailed all of the Olympic partners, suppliers and supporters requesting pins. A number of them sent pins to me and I kept the duplicates to take to London. I tried the same thing with the London 2012 partners without success. Undeterred, I headed to London armed with my bag of 2010 Olympic pins.

When we arrived at our friend's house, there was a beautiful stitched welcoming banner hanging in the window. I knew instantly that we now had a place to display the pin collection I was hoping to get.

On the morning of our first visit to an Olympic venue, Hyde Park, I loaded a couple of lanyards with pins for trading. I could see, from the looks of my teenage sons and British friends, that they were thinking, "You're not really going to do this, it's going to be so embarrassing to be with you". Ignoring their lack of enthusiasm, I carried on, determined to win them over.

My first taste of pin trading was at the official Coca-Cola Pin Trading site in Hyde Park. There we met some "professional" pin traders, asked a million questions and learned some of the "do's and don'ts" of pin trading. The actual trading was a bit disappointing as they were not interested in trading their 2012 pins for my 2010 pins. However, I was able to trade for some really interesting pins from previous Olympic Games. I could feel that I was becoming hooked.

Back at the house that evening, to my amazement, everyone was most interested in seeing what pins I had gotten. A nightly tradition of inspecting the new pins and placing them on the banner was started. Everyone was starting to catch "pin trading fever".

I decided to change my pin trading strategy and try trading with "beginners" like myself rather than the "professionals". We (yes, the family was becoming eager pin trading participants) looked for people who had an interesting pin or two on a lanyard or jacket and asked if they would like to trade. This was the best decision we made as it was great to meet people from all over the world. There were numerous times that they said, "I've never traded before, this is neat". We'd spread "pin trading fever" to:

• DLR employees on the platform at Stratford station, and on a street corner in Lewisham
• An employee stocking shelves and another working in the information kiosk at the Cutty Sark Museum
• Games Maker volunteers in line at the Coca-Cola Beatbox pavilion
• A sales clerk at the London 2012 Shop in the Olympic Park
• A Team London Ambassador in Greenwich
• A volunteer from Vancouver, Canada working at the Information Centre in the Olympic Park
• Two volunteer ushers at Earl's Court

The best "trade" was not for a pin, but a promise. It was to a couple of very young boys from Scotland who were in London with their parents for the Olympics. We met them on the train and gave them a couple of Canada pins. Their faces lit up as these were the first pins they had gotten. They quickly had their parents put the pins on their Olympic baseball caps and in return they promised to cheer for the Canadian athletes.

Needless to say, pin trading was one of the highlights of our trip. Our banner, complete with over 60 pins, is now proudly displayed in our home. It is one of the first things our friends ask about when they come to visit, and I can see the "fever" continuing to spread. We can't wait until our next opportunity to attend an Olympic Games and enjoy pin trading once again!

Name: Ian Kershaw

From: Pinvin, Nr Pershore

How long have you been collecting? Since July 2012

How many pins do you own? 26

Just prior to starting as a volunteer at London 2012 I became aware of the worldwide phenomenon of pin trading. Until then it had largely passed me by and I started the Games with an air of nonchalance around the whole subject matter - not possessing a single pin before my first shift in the Athlete's Village.

My first pin was gifted to me by a member of the Austrian delegation when I helped him when he was in a bit if rush for something. Being given this first pin started me off but this is not my story.

My story relates to how I came about the LED flashing pin from the Nauru team. Their National Olympic Committee (NOC) assistant approached me almost in floods of tears. She was at her wits end and didn't know what to do because she had lost her LOCOG issued travelcard. She was incredibly worried that she would be charged for losing it and to compound matters even more worried that she would have to also pay for a replacement that she could ill afford. Especially as an unpaid volunteer, just like me.

The first thing I did was to calm her down and get her to realise that this wasn't in fact going to happen, she had nothing to worry about and I would solve her problems. We went off to a quiet place as she was still distressed and I quickly reassured her and calmed her down. I then took her through the paperwork so that I could issue a replacement card for her, all with the absolute minimum of fuss and mindful of her delicate emotional state.

Once the paperwork was done I got the new card for her, assured her there was no charge for this and there were no consequences for her to worry about whatsoever. Her demeanour changed from being incredibly frightened, worried and emotional to being grateful and relaxed with a true Games Maker smile coming back to her face. She couldn't thank me enough for helping her out and releasing all that worry from her shoulders as she took her new card and set off on her shift.

As I watched the purposefulness return to her stride she quickly did an about turn and walked back towards me, again still with a beaming smile and a glint in her eye. She was fiddling about with her accreditation lanyard as she removed her one and only Nauru flashing pin. She handed it to me with the words that she had never in her life felt, so hopeless and low and had that feeling completely reversed so quickly and helpfully, and that she wanted to thank me by letting me have her prized possession that had been given to her by the Chef de Mission for the Nauru team. I could see that refusing this pin would have caused offence so I smiled back, thanked her, once again wished her well as she went back off on her way and it now sits with pride of place on my own lanyard with a story that I'll never forget.

Name: Philip Quigley

From: Kent

How long have you been collecting? 4 years

How many pins do you own? 40+

I was lucky enough to perform in the Closing Ceremony for London 2012 on August 12.

I had been collecting pins over the build up to the Closing Ceremony and before as some of the logo ones had been around.

When I heard about the Closing Ceremony pin going on sale that day and there only being 10,000 around I thought I need to get myself one of these.

So I called and text people to help me in the search for one. Luckily my friends were coming to the ceremony that night and were able to get one.

I also carried on collecting and swapping during the Paralympics. I was fortunate enough to get a Coca-Cola limited edition pin from a guy at the Coca-Cola beat box and that evening in TGI's Westfield, Stratford I managed to bag myself a TGI's Pin to add to my collection, which made me a very happy guy.

Overall it was a brilliant experience and the hunt for pins made it even more fun swapping and collecting.

Name: Scott Daniells

From: Folkestone

How long have you been collecting? Just over a year

How many pins do you own? About 50

My story isn't a single exchange but more how one morning showed me how pin trading at the Olympic Games can help to bring people from all over the world together.

I first discovered Olympic pins, and started collecting them, while visiting a London 2012 shop on the way back home from my interview to be a Games Maker in 2011 and thought they were great. However, it was only during the Games when I realised the power of pin collecting and how special it could be.

My Games Maker position was to be an Olympic Family Assistant and this involved occasions where I would be waiting around outside the Olympic Family hotels for my client, which was ideal for pin collecting, but there was one morning which really stands out in my memory.

While I was waiting for my client I was talking to the interim President of the Albanian Olympic Committee. A few of us asked if she had any pins and she gave us some pins and silicone wristbands, which quickly got a queue of Games Makers forming asking if they could have some too. This delighted the Albanian representatives - the President for example had a huge smile on her face and said "You're all queuing for Albania? Nobody ever queues for Albania". She thanked us for our interest as much as we thanked her for the pins.

Just after this a small child, who mustn't have been any older than 5 or 6, came up to me and asked if I had any spare pins. He must have seen us getting the pins from the Albanian Olympic Committee but unfortunately I didn't have any spare pins, which disappointed him. However as he was wearing a Team GB hat, t-shirt, shorts, shoes, had a Union Jack painted on his face and was waving a Team GB flag I gave him a Team GB pin that I had managed to pick up as he didn't have one and I've never seen such a big smile on anybody's face - he ran back to his parents looking so happy.

A short while later I noticed one of the Accompanying Guests of the Uganda Olympic Committee giving out pins. I had already traded a pin from the Philippine Olympic Committee to get my hands on a Uganda pin, as Uganda is one of my favourite countries. So told her how I was already wearing my Uganda pin with pride. She was pleased with this and we started talking and it turns out she was from a town in the middle of Uganda that I had stayed in overnight while on a trip there a few years ago and we started chatting about our time spent in each other's countries.

That morning was probably one of the best ones I had all Games. I had a chance to chat to many people from all over the world during the time I was waiting for my client, including the few mentioned above, and much of the interaction was thanks to the pins I had been trading. I hope to be able to continue collecting and trading pins for years to come.

Name: Chris Small

From: London

How long have you been collecting? 1 month

How many pins do you own? 48

I started collecting at the start of the London 2012 Olympics - meeting people at the Coca-Cola Hyde Park Trading Centre was quite inspiring seeing the many pins people have collected throughout the years.

I decided to take a trip to the Olympic Park, as it was suggested to me by a family member that you were able to purchase a ticket on the day, and even though I doubted this, I went. After the many tube rides and long, long walks I arrived at the gates only to be told that I will not be getting in without a ticket and so I gave up on getting in.

After about half hour of talking to a Games Maker, he kindly on his break went and visited the pin trading centre in the park and got me the Olympic Park and the Olympic Village trading pins from Coca-Cola which completes the 3 pins as I was able to get in the Hyde Park trading pin.

See you in Rio!

Name: Phil Broeders

From: Wallasey

How long have you been collecting? 1 month

How many pins do you own? 15

I was hit with an ear infection during the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Unable to travel back home to see my GP (and without the time to find a doctor by our hotel) I came across the medical facility next to the Press Centre in the Olympic Park.

The team there were really friendly and helpful. They were all volunteers but had not had the best Games from their point of view (having to be on call all the time, they rarely got to leave the surgery, let alone see any of the Games action). We had a great chat while waiting for the doctor and learned about how they'd all become volunteers (all were ex or current nurses).

They pretty much saved my Games as I was in a bad way before the treatment and as I was leaving we agreed a "pin for pain" swap where I rewarded them with a pin each for their time and trouble in looking after me. I only had 3 pins on me so had to run after a colleague to get enough to go around but in terms of a swap I definitely got the best of the deal!

A great memory of some great people.

Name: Dimple Patel

From: Surrey

How long have you been collecting? 2 years

How many pins do you own? 62

I've always collected a few pins here and there from doing voluntary work for smaller charities and my community temples. I was ecstatic when I was chosen to be part of London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games. I was chosen to be placed at the Excel Centre in where I was privileged to see numerous sports in both the games. I was part of the Events Services Team and my role was that of a Staffing Member Team Leader.

During my time it was a privilege to work with so many coaches, athletics, press and broadcast officials. I started my pin collection on Day 4 having seen other Games Makers and it started a buzz in Excel. It became a competition among us Games Makers!

My favourite pin has to be the one given to me by Glen my Black Cab driver who picked me up every day for two weeks to take me for my 5am start to the Excel Centre. We built an amazing relationship, he made a great start to my day and as a parting present gave me his London Cabbie pin which I will treasure forever.

The one that touched me the most was from another Games Maker. Luci and I worked closely at the Olympics but our shift patterns clashed at the Paralympics and I didn't get to see her on the last day of the Games. She left me a parting present of a lovely postcard with an emotional but inspirational message and a Rio 2016 pin as a memento and words of encouragement that I should be part of Rio 2016 too as I would be great at it.

Every pin I collected at the Games has a story behind it, a memory that I will cherish forever and one day hopefully live to tell my grandchildren about. My pin collection will not stop there. I have applied to work at Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and can't wait to be a part of the pin buzz again! In the meantime I will still be on hunt for precious pins that will add to my collection!

London 2012 rocked and my pins are a sentiment to that!