London 2012: Brain tumour boy, George Stocker, to carry Olympic torch

A 12-year-old boy, who has raised more than £50,000 for charity, has been chosen to be one of the 8,000 people to carry the Olympic torch in 2012.

George Stocker, from Wetherby, West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008.

Since then he has been fundraising for the cancer charity, Candlelighters.

George was offered his place by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Locog) after being nominated by 30 people.

After his tumour was diagnosed George underwent more than 80 weeks of treatment including multiple operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

While undergoing treatment he also found time to organise a string of major fundraising events.

'Inspirational story'

On hearing he had been selected to carry the torch, George said: "I am quite nervous, the thought of it makes me shiver."

His father, Roger Stocker, said his son's story was an inspirational one.

Mr Stocker said: "No matter what goes wrong, what is thrown at you, you can come up from being in a wheelchair in our case to becoming a torchbearer."

George added that he felt "very honoured and excited" to have been chosen as one of the 600 torchbearers across Yorkshire.

One of those who nominated George was his teacher at Queen Ethelburga's College near York.

Lauren Blakeley said she hoped she would be able to watch George carry the torch.

She added: "It is going to be absolutely fantastic. It is going to be watching someone we all care so much about and who has gone through so much and who is going to carry a part of history."