Marathon run for paralysed player

Ian Roberts (left) was moved by Brian Davies' story

A policeman has run the London Marathon to raise funds for a man paralysed while playing rugby.

Ian Roberts from Bangor, Gwynedd, has already raised more than �2,000 to help get Brian Davies, known as Yogi, back to his home at Bala.

The money raised will help pay for adaptations to the house he shares with his wife Sue, and two children.

Mr Davies, 50, currently at a spinal injuries unit at Southport, said he was looking forward to getting home.

For Mr Roberts, a veteran marathon runner with 22 under his belt; it was his 10th time in London.

"I remember saying after the first one 'never again', but I'm back again and the London marathon is the best one to do in the world," he said before the race.

I'd like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart Sue Davies, wife

He chose to raise money for Mr Davies, he said, after seeing a TV programme about him and his family.

"I used to play rugby and seeing Yogi on the programme really touched a nerve and I decided there and then that it would be a good thing to raise money for."

Brian Davies has been in hospital since he injured his back in May last year.

'Financial and emotional'

He said he was "apprehensive" about going back home, but also looking forward to it.

"I'd just like to thank everyone for everything they have done for me and my family," he said.

Mr Davies said people's generosity meant he would soon be going home

"It's amazing how people have come together."

He said he expected quite a few changes when he got back to Bala but the people would be same.

"It's always been a close-knit community, but this has really shown how people pull together when something like this happens," he added.

If everything goes to plan Mr Davies should be able to go home at the end of the summer.

His wife Sue said: "It's fantastic the backing, both financial and emotional we've had and I'd like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.

"I can't ever thank people enough. Getting Bri home will make us a unit again, because it has been hard with us in Bala and him in Southport," she added.

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