Former Ilkley nurse Margaret Cook has dedicated her life to serving others and her tireless efforts will finally be rewarded this summer after officially being chosen to carry the Olympic Torch.

Margaret, of Rombald’s View, is an active member of Soroptimist International offering help, support and campaigning on events from Ilkley to Sierra Leone in West Africa.

The 74-year-old was nominated to be a part of the Olympic Torch Relay by her fellow Soroptimist Intern-ational members through Lloyds TSB’s nationwide search to find worthy candidates.

Margaret will be one of just 8,000 people to carry the London 2012 Torch.

While grateful and honoured to be a part of that number, she said her work would always continue – recognition or not.

“I know somebody put me forward but I was quite surprised. I just believe I am here to serve, that is an old fashioned word, but I am here to support – and women and girls in particular,” said Margaret – whose Torch Relay leg will take place in Ilkley on June 24.

“The Soroptimists are a business and professional women’s service organisation – they are an international global voice for women and service for women.

“We do a lot of lobbying to get issues recognised and we support people who have been victims of trafficking for instance.

“We hold displays and do things for kids and bring things to people’s notice and we support projects on the other side of the world.

“Fund raising is obviously a part of it and we have raised funds to support projects in Sierra Leone as well as things in the local community.

“At the moment my local club are lobbying to get more public toilets because there just aren’t any in our area and we also promote recycling and encourage people to recycle.”

The reasons behind Margaret’s nomination don’t just lie with her work at Soroptimist International – she is also a governor at Ben Rhydding Primary School.

That is a post Margaret has held for well over a decade, and she added: “I have been a governor for a long time probably 12 to 15 years and, once I picked up the language of it all, I really enjoyed it.

“Being part of the school is great and it is a very good primary school with a great atmosphere. It is very welcoming and you have got to support kids.”

As the only National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB is bringing the excitement of the Games and Olympic Flame closer to you. Find out what we’re doing in your community and who is carrying the Flame at lloydstsb.com/carrytheflame -Ends-