A CANCER sufferer is offering up a little piece of Olympic history to raise funds for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

Larry Skeats came across an Olympic torch from the opening ceremony of the 1948 games in London at a village sale in North Dorset.

He has decided to put the rare find up for auction in Dorchester to raise funds for the care of fellow cancer sufferers.

Larry, 75, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma two years ago, discovered the torch in a box of bric-a-brac at a village auction that he runs at Stourton Caundle two years ago.

With the consent of the previous owner, he has decided to sell it on at auction with the torch expected to fetch between £1,000 and £2,000.

Larry said: “We heard that one sold for £2,200 and that’s when bells started ringing in my head.

“I found out more about it and it turned out that was true so I got in touch with Duke’s and they agreed to put it in their auction with a £1,000 reserve on it.”

He added: “What I’m doing is giving the money to Weldmar because I’ve got cancer myself and they are a lovely hospice, what they do for people in need of respite care is wonderful and it’s a lovely set up.”

Larry is no stranger to fundraising efforts for the Dorchester hospice, having raised £5,000 already through quizzes around the county he runs with wife Sue and friend Charlie Porter.

Larry thinks now is the time to sell the torch to raise maximum funds for the charity with the 2012 Olympics on the horizon.

He said: “It was two years ago I found it and I kept it right up till know on purpose because everything now is about the Olympics. It’s in perfect condition as well, that’s the best thing about it.”

The torch will go under the hammer at Duke’s in Weymouth Avenue on Thursday.

Duke’s valuer Amy Brenan said: “The 1948 torch, measuring 16 inches tall, was originally designed by Ralph Lavers and is very simple but effective in form.

“The cup part of the torch which holds the flame is pierced with the five Olympic rings and has a further relief band stating ‘XIVth Olympiad 1948, Olympia to London with thanks to the bearer.”

For more information, please contact Duke’s on 01305 265080 or email amy.brenan@dukes-auctions.com