Injured 'hero' marine is race fit

A Royal Marine from Plymouth hailed as "Prince Harry's personal hero" will be running the London Marathon on Sunday.

Ben McBean lost his left arm and right leg in an explosion when he was serving with 40 Commando in Afghanistan in February 2008.

He also suffered nerve and skin damage, and he and Prince Harry returned from service on the same flight.

The 22-year-old said he hopes to raise £10,000 for the charity 'Help for Heroes' by taking part in the marathon.

Marine McBean told the BBC: "They basically help guys like me out, and because they have I'm just trying to give a little bit back.

I just thought 'I'll do it,' and a year later here I am, ready to rock and roll Marine Ben McBean

"I'm injured but I'm alright. I can do the same things I used to be able to, just a bit slower.

"There are guys who have just been injured and I want to show them that they can actually progress and move on."

Marine McBean decided to run the 26 mile (42km) marathon after watching it on TV last year.

He said: "I was laying on my hospital bed watching TV, and I was thinking 'yeah, I'll give that a go!', bearing in mind I couldn't even sit up.

"I just thought 'I'll do it,' and a year later here I am, ready to rock and roll."

Ben McBean is hoping to raise �10,000 for the Help for Heroes charity

It will be the first time Marine McBean has run the famous London Marathon.

He said he had not done much training to avoid hurting his injured leg before the event, but he was "not fussed" by it.

"It's going to be hard work and I know that, but physically I'm fit and mentally I'm fit, and I'm able to do it," he said.

"It's just a case of what my leg decides to do on the day. If that just gets too painful that might pull me out, but I'll keep on going.

"Even if I wind up walking the last 10 miles just to finish then I'll finish it."

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