Medway Sunlight Rotary Club members Bill Parkinson, Nicola Roesch, Sonia Allen, Jane Loder and Steve Randerson

Kent torchbearers are flying the flag for the county in the build-up to the Paralympics.

Around a dozen torchbearers from Kent will be carrying the flame on its route from Stoke Mandeville to the Olympic stadium.

A team of Rotarians from the Medway Sunlight Rotary Club are among those taking part in the momentous journey ahead of the start of the Games in London on August 29.

Bill Parkinson, 57, of Gillingham, nominated four of his fellow Rotarians for their commitment to helping others while overcoming their own personal challenges.

He will join Jane Loder, 57, Steve Randerson, 29, Nicola Roesch, 32, and Sonia Allen, 44, with the flame during the 24-hour relay from the home of the Paralympics, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, to the Olympic Park.

Bill said: “Every member of our torch team has demonstrated the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality to make a difference; pushed the boundaries of what is achievable; or helped others to accomplish whatever they put their mind to.

“In carrying the torch we wish to salute the dedicated Paralympians who have overcome their own challenges to compete in the greatest sporting event of their lives.”

Shortly after overcoming cancer, team member Sonia went to Sri Lanka to provide education for more than 1,500 children.

Steve, wheelchair-bound following an operation for testicular cancer, has inspired others with his fundraising efforts including abseiling down a 50m tower to prove anything is possible; and Nicola helped a young boy get life-changing surgery by finding him a surgeon in Bristol to avoid an expensive trip to America.

Bill himself has led a fundraising campaign to send a group of terminally-ill children to Disneyland Paris.

The team will be carrying the torch through Watford High Street at 2.30am on Wednesday, which is also Bill’s birthday.

Another torchbearer from the county, who will help carry the flame from Stoke Mandeville to London, is John Whorlow, 70, from Canterbury.

John, who is profoundly deaf, has been working for Action for Hearing Loss in the city for more than 15 years.

He volunteers at the charity with gardening and decorating as well as helping with other people who are deaf or have learning disabilities.

Speaking through an interpreter John said: “He's very proud, very fit to carry that torch - he can do it because there’s nothing wrong with his legs.”

Deputy Manager of the charity Marilyn Belfield added: “We’re really proud that he was chosen and it’s nice because he does work hard when he comes here – he loves it.

“Over the years he's got more confident and he can do things for himself now.”