By Tom Degun

September 15 -  The 70,000 Games Maker volunteers, so widely praised for helping to make the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games a huge success, are set to be honoured with a special limited edition stamp, the Royal Mail have announced.

August 24 - The Paralympic Opening Ceremony pin is now available.

August 23 - Even though the Olympic Games have finished, London 2012 have released some more 'British' pins.

Name: Dr Shreedhar 

From: Grantham

How long have you been collecting? From July 22 2012 

How many pins do you own? About 50

When I volunteered as a Games Maker at London 2012 Olympics in mid-2012, the only Olympic pin I had was an India-Sydney pin gifted by my friend Satish when I stayed with him at the Sydney Olympics 2000. Inspired by that atmosphere, I kept my medical qualifications under my hat and got posted at the Athletes' Village, sharing the space with over 7000 of the world's best achievers and personalities.

During the course of 23 days of supporting various National Olympic Committees (NOCs), McDonalds gave us 4 pins: a Games Maker logo in multicolour, bronze, silver and gold colours. But every Games Maker got them.

When I encouraged two of my NOC Bahrain's athletes to give interviews to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Museum, I got a safe sport pin from the IOC Museum in the process. I also arranged several more interviews with athletes from Togo, Uganda and the highlight was when I sat through the recorded interview of Indian bronze-medallist woman boxer - and a mother of two - Mary Kom from Manipur, India. The IOC thanked me by giving me some special pins.

Coming from Newton's place, I made a point to get the Newton pin from the 100-pin collection released by Samsung, one of the Games' sponsors.

One morning the NOC Brazil held a presentation of Rio 2016 Olympics. I attended it for my Chef de Mission and he kindly let me have the beautiful Rio pin inaugurated that day (with 'Brasil House, London 2012' on the back!)

But the first pin of London 2012 was one I cherish the most. I was going to take inventory of our flats, when I met a Nepalese official in the lift. I greeted him in Hindi & Nepalese and he was very pleased. He smiled, put his hand in his pocket and presented me with the Nepal NOC pin. I had no pins to trade at that time and he never asked for anything in return. I would not trade that pin for anything, as it represents the spirit of these wonderful Games.

August 17 - For those of you that have not had a chance to see the Coke Pin of the Day set, here it is.

By Duncan Mackay in London

August 15 - The Royal Mail have caved into public pressure following a campaign headed by former Olympics Minister Dame Tessa Jowell and will produce stamps to celebrate each individual or team gold medal won by Britain during the Paralympics at London 2012, they have announced today. 

By David Gold

August 11 - The British Paralympic Association has defended the Royal Mail from criticism for not creating individual stamps for each British Paralympic gold medallist as it has been doing with the Olympics.

August 10 - As the end of the Olympic Games draws near, the Closing Ceremony pin will be on sale from later this evening.

July 30 - Today's Pin of the Day is the UK map and Union Flag. 

July 29 - Here are the next 2 pins in the series.

By David Gold

July 30 – Royal Mail has issued a set of four special stamps to mark this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Name: John Chlastawa

From: New York, USA

How long have you been collecting? since 1988

How many pins do you own? over 1,000

I try to collect Olympic pins not only the popular sponsors, but other subjects such as media, venues, NOC, sports, teams. I then take the pins which I had received from past years Games and I send these to Make a Wish Foundation for the kids who are going to the Games.

I did this for the Torino, Athens, Beijing, Vancouver Games & will do for London 2012. I usually add over 215 pins for each Games. The kids can either keep their pins or go to the pin trading venue & have fun trading.

Name: Linda Elsdon

From: Leigh on Sea

How long have you been collecting? Recently

How many pins do you own? 12

My pin story relates to the fantastic experience of working with the Olympic Committee of the Casa Brasil Rio 2016 Olympics at Somerset House. Having this amazing opportunity to be involved in the front-end of promoting the next major Olympic City is a once in a life opportunity. This will be an experience to cherish and appreciate that I have been extremely blessed to have the opportunity of working with the actual Olympic Committee and meet such high level VIPs, media and journalists and the prospect of meeting the Olympic team at the end of the London 2012 Games.

This has been a memorable and happy experience and one which can be talked about for years to come. This is a special opportunity as this is based in my home country for the London 2012 Olympics to enable me to be part of the experience in London and to see elements of the London 2012 Olympics that others have not had the opportunity to do so.

Also this has enabled me to be involved with the BT River of Music part of the 2012 Festival at Somerset House. This has made me even more an avid collector of pins which will house so many wonderful memories of my experiences during 2012 which has been an amazing year for the UK and to showcase the most beautiful City in the World - London.

Name: Robert Guthrie

From: Thornhill

How long have you been collecting? 3 years

How many pins do you own? 56

It was one of the strangest of places that I first discovered Olympic pin trading. I was at one of the music groups that I went to every Thursday evening and at break time, some glistening pieces of colourful metal stuck onto a lanyard hanging from someone's pocket caught my eye. I saw that they had Olympic rings and logos on them and so I knew that they would be relating to the Olympics - but why pins?

At the weekend, I searched the internet for more on pins and the Olympics given I just couldn't understand why pins would have significance like this with the Olympics. I found that pin trading was the 'unofficial spectator sport of the Olympic and Paralympic Games' which  I read from a particular website, that had been started up as a resource for pin trading and told you more about it. From that, and also contacting the creator, I was able to gain more valuable facts.

I later discovered that sponsors gave out pins if they were Olympic partners and thanks to this I have been trading pins with people all over the world since I got my first pin from one Olympic sponsor.

I have made some great friends through the obsession and my collection is gradually growing. I am so happy I discovered this amazing hobby and have managed to tell friends and family about it.

Thanks to all the people who have inspired me to collect pins. It is something I definitely won't regret.

Name: Francis M Samuels

From: Glasgow

How long have you been collecting? 6 weeks

How many pins do you own? 9

I am just starting out, though luck can help greatly at any time. On July 12, I met a friend and former colleague by chance. We stopped to chat just at the entrance of a large bus depot and I was telling him about my new pastime.

A member of staff walked by, into the depot and must have heard some of our conversation because she stopped, turned around towards us and asked if I would be interested in having two pin badges that she had been given at a recent PR meeting.

I managed to say a big yes please and she handed them over, after having been in her bag for a few days.

They were sponsor items, one of which was a limited issue. It just shows that good luck and generosity can come together to make someone's day.