A DEBUTANT marathon runner will be donating the proceeds from his run to a specialist hospital that ensured his four-year-old son will be able to watch him cross the finishing line.

A DEBUTANT marathon runner will be donating the proceeds from his run to a specialist hospital that ensured his four-year-old son will be able to watch him cross the finishing line.

Young James Salmons was born with glaucoma and is only able to see because of operations at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London when he was just months old.

Now his father, Nigel, has decided to repay his debt of gratitude by raising money for the Friends of Moorfields Eye Hospital when he runs the London Marathon on Sunday, April 14.

"This is the sixth time I have applied to run the marathon but the first time I have been successful. I've always said that if I did run it, I would raise money for the hospital for the excellent treatment James received there," said Nigel, 32, of Bixley Farm, Ipswich.

James receives regular check-ups at Ipswich Hospital, where he was first diagnosed, for his condition and is able to see with the aid of glasses – which Nigel and his wife Joanne, 32, credit to the staff at the London hospital.

The BT worker said he did much of his training in and around the docklands at Felixstowe during his lunch breaks and attempted longer runs at weekends.

"I'm looking forward to it but with some sort of trepidation. I'm quite confident of finishing the race – I won't be at the front, but I hopefully won't be last either," he added.

Nigel is aiming to raise hundreds of pounds to aid the Friends of Moorfields Eye Hospital.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring him or making a donation he can be contacted on 01473 716242.