A detachment of Paratroopers from Pudsey has been chosen by Cancer Research UK as one of 50 torchbearers to take part in a unique event to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
The flame, used by the Queen to light the Millennium beacon on December 31, 1999, will burn brightly once more as a focus for the celebrations to mark her 50 years as Monarch.
The soldiers from 4 Para, the only territorial battalion of the Parachute Regiment, will be yomping in full army kit, complete with bergans and red berets, on their leg of the torch relay to raise awareness of cancer.
A mix of regular and Terretorial Army soldiers will take part, led by Lt Col John Handford. They will include Warrant Officer Shaun Lamming, 40, who is based at the TA unit at Thornbury roundabout, and suffered from cancer two years ago.
"Through the miracles of modern medicine I have managed to overcome it," he said. "Maybe the Government could learn something from the cancer charities."
Other Pudsey soldiers helping to carry the torch include Major Dewie Winkle, Lance Corporal Mark Hardcastle, Major Nick Burrows and Captain Jim Forrest.
Lt Col Handford said: "My father died from cancer and many men in the battalion have lost members of their families to the disease.
"It is a privilege to be part of this exercise to draw the public's attention to the need for cancer research on the occasion of the Queen's Golden Jubilee."
The relay starts on April 29 when the flame will be taken from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk to London. It then moves to St Paul's Cathedral where there will be a special service for all Britain's 800 cancer charities and organisations.
Sir Paul Nurse, Cancer Research UK's interim chief executive, said: "Looking back over five decades it is remarkable just how much progress our research has made.
"Our job is to build on that success and deliver better prevention strategies and treatments. I am delighted that the Paras have agreed to be one of our torchbearers.
"We are looking forward to the Golden Jubilee celebrations with great excitement"
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