Torch honour for triple amputee Marine

Mark Ormrod is a triple amputee who was told he would never walk again after he was badly injured on Christmas Eve 2007 while serving with 40 Commando.

The former Royal Marine, from Plymouth, Devon, has defied doctors to become an inspiration for many people with his charity work.

The 28-year-old compared carrying the Olympic Torch with the completion of his gruelling 3,500-mile charity run across America two years ago.

The married father-of-one, who now works for the Royal Marines Association, and a team of Royal Marines completed the eight-week coast-to-coast journey named the “Gumpathon” in aid of injured service personnel.

“It’s on the same level,” he said.

“Anything to do with representing my country is a really big thing for me. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and would love to continue doing.

“In fact, this probably ranks slightly higher than that and I am just proud to be a part of it.”

Mr Ormrod added: “‘Humbled’ is the world I would use. Humbled at all the people that contacted me to say they had nominated me and then to get selected.

“It is a humbling experience and hopefully I’ll do Plymouth and England proud.”

Mr Ormrod, who carried the flame from Finnigan Road to Sugar Mill Business Park in Plymouth, said he was incredibly nervous ahead of his big moment.

Speaking at the Plymouth Life Centre, he said: “We came in here this morning and being greeted by all these people – it’s finally starting to hit home now.”

Mr Ormrod and the other Plymouth torchbearers were at the new £46.5m leisure centre for a ceremony to light the first torch to mark the start of day two of the relay.

This year Mr Ormrod – nicknamed “Rammers” – has set himself the challenge of cycling nearly 3,000 miles round the British coastline.

The event – Tour de Forces – will raise money for four military charities and sets off from Plymouth in September for the anti-clockwise circumnavigation.

Mr Ormrod and his team will run, cycle and hand cycle their way around the coast.