A friend of a semi-professional footballer left partially paralysed after a Brentwood nightclub assault is doing a fundraising marathon run to support him.

Nick Morgan, 26, of Loughton, suffered spinal injuries after he was attacked behind the Sugar Hut in October.

The Billericay Town goalkeeper is now receiving rehabilitation treatment at the National Spinal Injuries Centreat at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, in Buckinghamshire.

In recent days, Nick has been able to start moving his legs again using an exercise bike and is providing the inspiration for friend Martin Maher to run the 26-mile London Marathon in April.

Martin, of Cory Drive, Hutton, secured his place through a ballot and is raising money for Aspire – a charity which helps people with spinal injuries.

The 37-year-old visited Nick in hospital the weekend before last and regularly speaks to his family. He has learnt about Aspire’s work during his visits.

Martin said: “The progress he’s made is fantastic. I saw Nick before Christmas and he was just like a head on a bed – he could hardly move anything.

“He’s really determined to push the rehabilitation steps he’s been given. They’ve told him he’d be doing things in two weeks’ time and he’s been trying to do them that day.”

Training

Martin is training with Brentwood running group, the Thrift Green Trotters.

Although the marathon preparation is gruelling, he is just focusing on helping his friend. He said: “I’m trying to get as much support for him as I can and it’s all about raising as much money for him as I can.”

n People can donate to Martin’s fundraising drive by texting nick67 followed by an amount (�1, �2, �3, �4, �5 or �10) to 700700. Donations can also be made at www.justgiving.com/martinmaher.