AN OCTOGENARIAN who uses two sticks to walk is in training to carry the Olympic torch.

Moira Starkey, aged 84, of Storridge, near Malvern, hopes to raise £20,120 for breast cancer charity The Haven.

Despite having to use the sticks, she has previously walked the length of the London Marathon in Storridge Village Hall.

Miss Starkey was invited to be an Olympic torchbearer in recognition of her fund-raising efforts.

She started in 2004 when a close friend and neighbour was diagnosed with breast cancer and visited The Haven’s centre in Hereford. Since then, she has raised more than £10,500. As well as the walking marathon, she has organised pancake races, skittles evenings and coffee mornings, opened her garden to the public and sold home-made jams.

Now she has made a new year’s resolution to ensure she is fighting fit for her special task in the summer. She intends to build her strength by completing even more laps of her village hall, so that she will be able to use only one stick, and hopes the public will dig deep.

The Haven offers one-to-one support for anyone affected by breast cancer. Its work costs about £1,000 for each patient.

Miss Starkey said: “I will be working hard to make sure I am fit as a fiddle. The Haven does outstanding work, and by reaching my target of £20,120 it will be able to help another 20 people.”

Frankie Devereux, of The Haven, said: “There is no stopping Moira’s energy and enthusiasm and we are delighted she has set this new goal. We’ll be supporting Moira every step of the way, and we hope the public will too.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/moirasmeters.