Steve Randerson, owner of Recognition Express Kent which specialises in branded promotional goods and clothing, was one of just five people from his hometown chosen to be amongst the 116 teams that took part in the Paralympic Torch Relay last month.

The Medway Sunlight Team is a group of people nominated by the local Rotary Club who have either beaten serious illness, like Steve, or worked hard to help and fundraise for others.

“I’m so proud to have been part of such a great event and with some truly inspiring people. It is incredible to think back to this time four years ago, while watching the Beijing Games I was a shadow of myself today.

“We all met, including the other relay groups, in the early hours of the morning and were taken by minibuses to our start points. We carried the torch between our team of five for a mile and a half, then got back into the minibus and followed the rest of the parade.

“For me, the best part of the whole night was the people who came out to support. Bearing in mind this event went on through the night, the streets were still full of people waving banners, flying flags and cheering. It was such an incredible atmosphere.”

In 2005, at the age of 23, Steve was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The surgery successfully removed the tumour but went wrong leaving him in a wheelchair with little prospect of ever walking properly again.

He subsequently underwent 22 further operations to get him walking again and can walk using one crutch. Steve now raises thousands of pounds for local cancer charities.