A snowboarding accident 10 weeks ago threatened to hinder Ben Conway’s marathon preparation.

But the 32-year-old trainee dispensing optician was determined to not let a back injury stop him raising money for charity.

Mr Conway, from Diss-based A Stodel - part of the Dipple & Conway family optometry firm started by his great-grandfather in 1916 - is running for Sheringham-based charity Break, which helps vulnerable children, young people and families.

“It’s going to be tough but I am determined to do it,” he said. “Friends, family and colleagues have promised to sponsor me, so it’s a matter of pride now.

“My brother Edmund ran the London Marathon in 3 hours 41 minutes two years ago. When I first agreed to run it I was determined to beat him and had big training plans. Instead my preparation has been limited to three 45-minute treadmill sessions in the gym.”

Mr Conway, who suffered a prolapsed vertebra in a snowboarding accident in the French Alps in January, hopes to raise £2,000 via his Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/Ben-Conway2.