A FAMILY friend of Nicky Morgan is preparing to do the London Marathon to raise money for the injured goalkeeper.

Martin Maher, 37, from Brentwood, is training up to raise at least £5000 for Aspire, a charity affiliated with Stoke Mandeville Hospital which specialises in helping people with spinal injuries, which will be helping Nicky when he comes out of hospital.

Nicky, 26, is progressing quickly doing daily sessions of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and hydrotherapy and has already walked 250m around the hospital and its gym.

The 6ft 7in Billericay Town goalkeeper was left partially paralysed after he was attacked outside the Sugar Hut nightclub in October last year.

Mr Maher, who is a stock trader in the City, said: “I am really honoured to be able to do this for Nicky, as soon as he got injured I knew I wanted to do something for him.

“I have known Nicky since he was little because I am really good friend’s with his brother Ben. Nicky has said he wants to be at the finish line on the day so see me finish the race.

“I have had planned to do the race for the past two years but got injured so this might be third time lucky. I want to raise as much as possible because Aspire is a great charity and they will be helping Nicky a lot when he comes out of Stoke Mandeville.”

Nicky added: “It’s such a nice thing for Martin to do, he’s been a family friend all my life, it’s amazing that he is doing this for the charity.

“The spinal charity will help me eventually when I am at home and recovering more so.”

A 33-year-old man from Sittingbourne in Kent who was arrested on suspicion on greviously bodily harm has been re-bailed until March 26 in relation to the assault so the police can conduct further enquires.

If you would like to donate log onto www.justgiving.com/martinmaher or you can text nick67 to 70070 with a donation between £1 and £10.