Football star plans a marathon

By Fay Yeomans
BBC York & North Yorkshire

Danny Mills, on the right, has seen his fair share of action on the football pitch

Danny Mills is used to physical challenges. As a former England, Leeds United and Middlesbrough defender he has seen his fair share of action on the football pitch.

Now the ex-player, who lives in North Yorkshire, has turned his attention to a different sport, the inaugural Brighton Marathon which takes place in 2010.

But Danny isn't planning to run it; he intends to cover the 26.2 mile course in a wheelchair!

His aim is to raise awareness of the difficulties faced on a daily basis by wheelchair users and, at the same time, to raise funds for two disability charities.

Danny and his wife, Lisa, suffered the tragic loss of their third child Archie in 2002, minutes after he was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

Since then the player, known for his tenacity and commitment on the field, has applied considerable energy to supporting the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, ASBAH, of which he is currently vice president.

Danny's other charity is the National Association of Disabled Supporters. He believes strongly that people should be able to get to football matches as easily and often as they choose.

The inaugural Brighton Marathon is on Sunday 18 April 2010

Danny told BBC Radio York: "I just thought it was a great opportunity to bring two smallish charities together and raise as much profile, awareness and money as possible."

As part of his preparation for the event in April 2010, Danny plans to spend a week living as a wheelchair user:

"It won't be easy but I want to show how everyday things we take for granted can be a lot more difficult when you are a wheelchair user, like going to the shops or down the pub."

Danny says people will soon see him doing part of his training in and around the streets of Harrogate, his home town:

"I'm going to try and avoid some of the really steep hills but I'm expecting at times there will be adverse reaction to me getting in people's way.

"But I almost want to experience that because then I can tell everybody about that and how bad it is."

The inaugural Brighton Marathon is on Sunday 18 April 2010 and that is the day Danny will put his hard work and training as a wheelchair racer to the test!

If you would like to find out more you can visit ASBAH's dedicated web page