THE daughter of a fundraiser who carried the Olympic torch through the York last year despite being seriously ill will take part in the York 10k race in his memory.

Forty-two-year-old Ian Meek, who worked for John Smiths in Tadcaster, died weeks after carrying the Olympic torch through York’s streets.

The inspirational fundraiser – who was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1994 and learned it had become malignant in 2009 – raised a remarkable £110,000 to fund research on behalf of Brain Tumour Research and Support Across Yorkshire (BTRS).

Now his daughter Keisha, 21, has decided to return to York from her home in Leeds to take part in the 10k race in August to mark the anniversary of his death and to raise more money for BTRS.

She said: “It’s my dad’s legacy – I want to continue and I promised him I would. There’s not a lot of funding that goes into research for brain tumours.

“I am very proud of everything he did. Seeing someone who was poorly for 18 years and was so willing to do anything for anyone is very moving. It’s an amazing feeling to know I’m his daughter. He was inspirational.”

Ian raised so much money by organising ambitious fundraising activities. He and a huge group of friends and family took part in the national three peaks challenge in 2010 and then a bike ride from his home town of Bristol to Bradford.

He organised a Lands End to John O’Groats ride with a large group of supporters in 2012 – including his teenage son Sam – but became too unwell to take part and died on Yorkshire Day, the same day the cyclists arrived in Leeds.

To sponsor Keisha, visit justgiving.com/Keisha-Meek1

• Martin House Children’s Hospice still has places available for runners in the York 10K on August 4th. If you would like to take part and raise money for the hospice, phone 01937 844569 or email events@martinhouse.org.uk