Ron's St George's Day pride at Olympic Torch honour
Published on 23rd April 2012
A patriotic Sandwell marathon runner is flying the flag of St George with pride after being chosen to carry the Olympic Torch.
Family man Ron Nicholls, who lives on Yew Tree estate, has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity with his marathon runs.
He has mainly run in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer after his wife Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997.
Fundraising has included £5,000 in the 1998 London Marathon and £1,500 in the 1999 New York Marathon.
A runner with Bloxwich-based Sneyd Striders for over 20 years, he has also raised money for the breast clinic at Sandwell Hospital.
Ron, who is aged 57 and has two daughters and three grandchildren, said: "Jane nominated me to carry the Olympic Torch and I am over the moon to have been selected.
"I am a patriotic man and feel proud and honoured to have this opportunity."
Jane said: "I knew Ron would love to carry the Torch and the whole family will be cheering him on."
Ron will be carrying the Torch in Walsall on Saturday 30 June as part of the Black Country leg of the Olympic Torch Relay.
You can find more information on the Olympic Torch Relay and how Sandwell is celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games at this website and at the Sandwell for 2012 website.