A footballer from Bushey is entering an event which will see him running for significantly longer than 90 minutes this Sunday.

Ashley Freeman, of Montacute Road, is hoping to raise about £6,000 for the cancer charity Orchid when he runs the 26-mile New York marathon.

He said: “I'm raising money for Orchid Cancer Care, they're the only UK charity that both researches and cares for prostate cancer. I'm doing it half for personal achievement and half because it's a good cause.”

However an accident on holiday and a subsequent operation almost saw the end of his dream.

He said “I damaged my back doing an overhead kick on the beach in Brazil - I landed on my back and had to have an operation in August.

“I'm proof that anyone can do it, I was never very sporty or athletic at school. I was looking to run in under four hours but after the operation I'll be happy to finish.”

The 24-year-old said: “I chose New York mainly because me and my girlfriend wanted to go to New York and also so I only miss five or six weeks of the football season.

“Any knock or fall could mean the end of my race. I broke my ankle years ago and I still feel it after ten miles or so.”

The Glendale FC club secretary often runs home from his job in the City, and is hoping the buzz of New York will give him the extra motivation he needs in the last few miles.

He said: “The route from St Paul's to Bushey takes me along the A41. Brent Cross isn't exactly the most stimulating scenery.”

Mr Freeman has raised about £4,500 so far and is hoping a donation from Merrill Lynch, where he works, will boost the final figure.

He said: “I work in a predominantly male environment, mostly between 30 and 50, which is the group most susceptible to prostate cancer, so I thought people would relate to the cause. I've had traders giving £50, £75 and £100.”

Figures from Orchid suggest that 37,000 men will be diagnosed with a male-specific cancer in 2009.

Mr Freeman added: “I've never really done anything significant and now I've got the chance. There are 15 players in the squad, they're your mates.

“The odds are that some of them will be affected by cancer. If you can do something while you're young and fit it might make a difference to them.”

For more information or to donate go to: www.bmycharity.com/ashnyc.