Former soldier chosen to carry Olympic Torch for charity work

By Paul Eddison, Sportsbeat

FORMER soldier Simon Brown has been picked out to be part of the London 2012 celebrations after being chosen to carry the Olympic Torch for his work with charity.

FLAME HONOUR: Former soldier Simon Brown has been announced as an official London 2012 Torchbearer

Brown, 33, lost his left eye and most of the use of his right in December 2006, when he was shot by a sniper while serving with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Basra, Iraq.

Two days later Brown was back in the UK and being treated at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham and has since thrown himself into work with St Dunstan's - a charity for blind ex-service men and women - in Sheffield.

And his commitment to St Dunstan's and other charities has been rewarded after he was announced as one of the lucky few who will carry the Olympic Torch as it tours the British Isles prior to the Games next summer.

And, while quick to talk of his joy at hearing the news, Brown also revealed his nerves about stepping up to the occasion next summer.

"It is a massive honour to carry the Olympic Torch, especially when you think about how many people have been nominated," said Brown.

"There is a lot of pressure as well because it is a real once in a lifetime opportunity. I just want to enjoy it, I think it will be in my home city of Leeds so it should be a great experience.

"When I first got injured I didn't realise it was quite as bad as it actually was. It was a dark time. Helping people was actually a way of getting over what had happened.

"I worked with St Dunstan's in Sheffield and got some help there to come to terms with what had happened. I got training from them and the work they do with injured servicemen is excellent.

"I was able to then become a mentor to people who came in with injuries, which is a very rewarding experience for me and has given me a lot of confidence."

Brown's charity work has not been confined to just St Dunstan's - the 33-year-old has taken part in a trek across the Sahara for Help for Heroes as well as working on the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal.

"I have also been getting involved in some other campaigns, especially with the Poppy Appeal, which it has been a great honour to be a part of," he added.

"I also did a trek across the Sahara in October to raise money for Help for Heroes. I'm not in the same condition as I was before my injury but I still keep fit and mentally I was fine.

"It was daunting going back to similar conditions to where I was injured but it was a lot more relaxing."

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© Sportsbeat 2011