Corporal Daniel Whittingham will carry the Olympic torch when it arrives in the city this week in recognition of his charity work.
His torch will be lit by Olympic and World Champion ice-skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean at the National Ice Centre’s Ice Gala on 28 June 2012.
A former pupil at Redhill Comprehensive in Arnold, the 26-year-old Sherwood soldier is a member of Notts Troop 721 Squadron 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps, based at Chetwynd Barracks in Chilwell.
Shattered legs
He was seriously injured in 2009 whilst serving in Afghanistan when the vehicle he was travelling in hit an improvised explosive device. His injuries included two shattered legs, and after 18 months of treatment he had an elected amputation on his left leg below the knee. "The pain was just constant, but since the operation I have been able to get my life back on track."
The past three years has seen him raising funds for military and local charities, including the bomb bisposal charity the Felix Fund and MARCH (Military and Retired Cyprus Holidays for Heroes). He has also worked with his local football club Real FC.
"The football club is based in inner-city Nottingham and gives young lads a focus and something to do, rather than hanging around doing nothing. It's local to me, and when I have the time I enjoy going along to see the lads play."
A keen sportsman, Corporal Whittingham has represented Great Britain at the Para-Canoe World Championships, where he took ninth place in the World 200-metre K1 sprint. He has also taken up rowing and took part in a 24-hour, 1,000,000-metre row with Row 2 Recovery, who later went on to successfully row the Atlantic Ocean.
Flame party
Corporal Whittington said: "My torch will be lit by Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean straight after their performance at the National Ice Centre. I can’t wait. The letter to tell me I had been selected to take part came totally out of the blue. I just wasn’t expecting it. It’s pretty cool to carry it in my home town. It’s just a massive honour to be able to take part in the Olympics. I’m really looking forward to it."
There to cheer him on will be his mum Teresa, dad Barry, step-mum Andrea and sisters Claire and Laura. "They are all excited as I am. They are even planning a flame party for me."
A year after the incident, Daniel had the phrase 'The measure of a man is his ability to rise again' tattooed on his back. He has certainly done that.