Inspirational fighter says flame will be a symbol of his battle with cancer

SINCE finding out the brain tumour he has lived with for 18 years was terminal, Ian Meek has lived every day as if it were his last and raised £100,000 for charity.

Now the inspirational father-of-three is looking forward to opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch.

The 42-year-old, from Leeds, said: “The Torch will be a symbol of my battle with cancer, and my family and friends’ efforts to raise £100,000, so families of the future don’t have to go through what we go through.”

The cash will pay for a student to work at the Institute of Molecular Medicine in Leeds for three years, researching brain tumours.

Mr Meek’s tumour was diagnosed in 1994. At first it was benign, but he was told it had become cancerous in 2009. It is inoperable.

In the three years since, he has organised a series of punishing fundraising challenges dubbed Meek’s Feats, including the Three Peaks and a 200-mile bike ride.