Torchbearer Michael Vaughan puts Daisy, seven in spotlight

TORCHBEARERS are in training to carry the Olympic flame across Yorkshire, but one little girl from Sheffield will travel to the capital to play her part in the nationwide relay ahead of the games next month.

Little Daisy Ludlam will run alongside the former England cricket captain, Yorkshire’s Michael Vaughan, who has been selected to carry the Torch through London on July 26, the day before the opening ceremony.

Vaughan asked Daisy along on his run because of his association with Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where the seven-year-old has been treated since she was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis three years ago.

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Her mother, Rachel, 40, said she, her husband Fraser and Daisy’s two brothers were “extremely proud” of her because her condition had been crippling.

But Mrs Ludlam added: “The rheumatology department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital has been amazing and because of the treatment Daisy has received, you would never realise now.

“Because of their help she has totally overcome the condition and we hope that her involvement in the Torch relay will help to raise awareness of their work.”

Vaughan lives in the Peak District and his children attend the same prep school as Daisy, so she already knows the former cricketer.

Mrs Ludlam added: “It was very kind of Michael to think of Daisy. She is thrilled but I don’t think she will really appreciate what a big occasion it will be until we actually get there on the day.”