THEY are all Olympic heroes.

And now it’s the chance to meet the people from the Huddersfield area chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in towns and cities across the UK other than their home town.

They include hospice fundraiser Helen Jackson, who ran yesterday at Richmond Castle, and Moor End Academy pupil Mehreen Akhtar who ran in Tadcaster on Tuesday.

Helen, 38, enjoyed her time in the spotlight and said: “What better way to spend your time than helping out someone less fortunate than you and making a difference so that hospices can continue their excellent work and care for so many terminally ill patients and helping the relatives and friends through such difficult times.

“This is especially important for me as I have lost a number of family members and my closest friend in a hospice over the last three years so this is very close to my heart. The kind comfort that they provide to so many people is priceless.”

Mike Farrar, CBE is chief executive of the NHS Federation. He has used the Olympics to inspire a variety of projects in the NHS and communities nationally. Mike, who is a board member for Sport England, lives in Shelley but will be carrying the flame through Dalton, North Yorkshire, on June 26.

He said: “I am absolutely over the moon to be carrying the torch, it is a real honour.”

Dad-of-three Glyn Carter, of Skelmanthorpe was nominated by his colleagues at Morrisons for the tireless work he does in the community, with charities, Skelmanthorpe Junior Football Club and caring for his disabled son Matthew.

He will head down to St Albans on July 8.

He said: “It will be incredible to set off with that torch but it will be really fantastic to meet all the other torchbearers, having heard some of the stories, they are truly inspirational and I will be looking forward to meeting everybody.”

Callum Parkinson, 16, of Fenay Bridge, had a serious road traffic accident on his way home from rugby training in June 2009.

It was doubtful he would survive and he spent six months in hospital. He now has a metal skull and has re-learned how to eat, talk, walk and has even returned to mainstream school. He is a keen fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. He said: “ I am so excited but nervous at the same time.

“What an experience. I can’t believe I will be carrying the Olympic torch, I just hope I don’t trip and drop the torch.” He will be in Hunslet on June 25.

Macmillan Cancer Support fundraiser Gerry Beamond, of Paddock, will be running through Halifax on June 24.

Grandfather Gerry has been chairman of the Holmfirth committee that over the years has helped to raise more than £1.4m for Macmillan.

He said: “I was totally overwhelmed when I heard I was going to be taking part. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I cannot wait to be out there.”

Harry Crowther, 13, of Mirfield, suffers from a premature ageing disorder known as Atypical Progreria Syndrome. He will be carrying the Olympic flame through Wakefield on June 25.

The Mirfield ambassador said: “I’m very excited to be carrying the torch but also very nervous.

“I am extremely proud to be representing Mirfield in the relay.”

Kirklees Director of Public Health Dr Judith Hooper, 57, is running through Kexborough on June 25, after being nominated by her NHS colleagues for her dedication to sport and healthy lifestyles.

The Slaithwaite woman said: “I was so surprised to learn that I had been nominated and absolutely delighted and honoured to have been chosen to be one of the NHS torchbearers for this historic event.”

Matthew Norton, of Holmfirth, is running through Halifax after being nominated by Lloyds Banking Group.

The 32-year-old founded the Maasai Heritage Preservation Foundation which helps more than 400 children get schooling in Kenya and Tanzania.

He said: “I am immensely humbled to be carrying the torch and I find it incredibly difficult to put in to words and I am thrilled to be part of history.” He will be running through Halifax on June 24.

Matthew Greaves, 32, of Birkby, is running through Wakefield on June 25. He was nominated for his involvement with the Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team, the Mountain Rescue Council for England and Wales and also for the fundraising he has done for mental health charity Mind.

He said: “I had no idea I had been nominated until I was told I would be running, I’m truly honoured, I cannot wait.”

Amy Peckover, 28, of Marsden, is a keen volunteer with the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and has raised a large amount for charity including climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity. She will be carrying the torch through Rochdale on June 23.

She said: “Honoured and excited doesn’t even begin to cover it. I am anxious but just can’t wait to get out there and put on the Olympic tracksuit.”

Paul Hagreen, 18, of Elland, was nominated by his mum, having coped with Type 1 diabetes since the age of four. He has had in excess of 62,000 blood tests, 21,000 injections and according to his mum he has not “complained once”.

The former Huddersfield New College pupil, who is always campaigning for awareness of the condition, said: “I’m really over the moon about the prospect of holding the torch, meeting the other torchbearers and am honoured that I was chosen and it will be a great chance to raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes.” He is carrying the torch in Kexborough.

Aimee Jennings is just 12 and the Almondbury High School pupil was nominated by her teachers for her sporting prowess.

She will be running through Headingley, Leeds, on Sunday, June 24.

The Almondbury girl said: “I’m excited and I can’t wait to get out there any enjoy the day. I’m really looking forward to sharing the experience with all my friends and family too.”

Kevin Blackburn, of Dalton, volunteers as a community first responder with the Yorkshire Ambulance service and is also a dedicated fundraiser for the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and Kirkwood Hospice.

Due to carry the torch through Heywood on June 23, he said: “How I feel about running with the torch is indescribable, I’m nervous, so proud and so humbled to be given the opportunity. “

Matt Johnson, of Liversedge, was nominated by the British Swimming Association and the British Olympic Association. He has been earmarked for Rio Olympics in 2016 not only as a qualifier but potential winner as his rankings this year has been as low as number eight in the world. He said: “It is wonderful to be nominated by the governing body and run with the torch in my home nation, who I hope to represent in the Olympics in future years and one day return home with a medal.” He will be in Beeston, Leeds, on June 25.

Other runners from the area include Asda manager Callum Macrae, 58, of Brighouse, who is running through Sheffield; Alexandru Dumutru, 34, of Batley, who will be running through Leeds, was nominated by members of the Romanian community who have dubbed him an inspiration; Huddersfield University student Krissie Saw, 19, is running through Rotherham on June 26. She is a member of UNICEF fundraising group, with “an inspiring passion for charity work”.