Ex-pageant master's 'poignant' cancer charity sale

A former royal pageant master who has decided to auction items used by Queen Elizabeth II to raise money for Cancer Research UK said the sale had become "more poignant" since his own diagnosis.

Bruno Peek, who lives in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, organised beacon lighting ceremonies to mark major royal occasions for more than 40 years.

The six items up for sale, which include beacon torches, were made by the former welder who retired from the pageant organiser role in 2024.

Peek, 74, disclosed that he was diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer two months ago, and he hopes the lots will raise thousands of pounds.

He received his diagnosis seven weeks before Christmas and said the news was "a bit like a bombshell".

He now attends the Sandra Chapman Centre at the James Paget Hospital for chemotherapy.

"You never think it's going to happen to you," he said.

"Ever since I've been coming to [the centre], the way they've treated me, it's been absolutely amazing.

"You realise how much research still needs to go into this dreadful disease, and so it's even more poignant now that the money is going to go to [the charity]."

Peek, who previously lived in Carlton Colville, Suffolk, organised the lighting of hundreds of beacons across the world for Queen Elizabeth II's golden, diamond and platinum jubilees.

He was made an Order of the British Empire (OBE) and a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) for his efforts, and sought permission from the Royal Family to sell the objects.

"I own these items but I could never have sold them for personal gain," he said.

"Given that the King and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have both had cancer treatment, I felt it was appropriate to use them to raise money for Cancer Research UK."

Peek said he hoped the items would go to "people who love the Royal Family and the fact that the Queen has used them".

The six objects being auctioned at Bonhams in London next month are:

• Millennium Torch, a ceremonial torch used to celebrate the arrival of the year 2000
• Golden Jubilee Torch, used at the Queen's jubilee celebrations in 2002
• Trafalgar Weekend Torch, used at HMS Victory, Portsmouth, in 2005
• Diamond Jubilee 'Diamond', displayed at the Tower of London before its use by the Queen in 2012
• 90th Birthday Torch, used at Windsor Castle in 2016
• Platinum Jubilee Commonwealth Nations Globe, used at Windsor Castle in June 2022

Matthew Haley, from Bonhams, said it expected to raise between £100,000 and £200,000 for all the pieces.

"I think there's a unique character to each one," he said.

"Each one represents something different, whether it's the Millennium or the Trafalgar bicentenary or her [Queen Elizabeth's] 90th birthday."

Sophia France, from Cancer Research UK, said: "We can't do the work that we do... without our fabulous people that donate their time, their money, and in this case, their artefacts that have been used by the Queen herself.

"It's just incredible."

She added that knowing Peek was dealing with his own cancer, yet still fundraising, was "wonderful".

"It's just become more pertinent, sadly, just because of his own diagnosis, but it hasn't stopped him."

Peek said he was still planning events to bring people together, despite his diagnosis.

"I want people to know that even though you are going through cancer treatment, you can still live your life.

"I'm currently organising a Remembrance Day event for November 11th this year, entitled the Lamp Light of Peace, which we plan to make an annual occasion, promoting peace in this troubled world of ours."

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by cancer, organisations listed on BBC Action Line can offer help and support.

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