BUSINESSMAN Simon Wrightson has a special reason to want to succeed in this year's Great North Run.

Mr Wrightson, 48, from Manfield, near Darlington, will be raising money for Headway, the brain injury association, when he takes part in the 13-mile run on October 6.

It is a particularly poignant cause for Mr Wrightson, who was put on a life-support machine after he suffered a brain haemorrhage in an accident while on a skiing holiday with his family in France nine years ago.

He recovered after receiving lengthy hospital treatment in Geneva.

He is now hoping to raise £24,000 to help Headway establish a telephone helpline to continue offering support to people who have suffered traumatic head injuries and their carers.

Mr Wrightson said: "It has taken nine years to pluck up the courage to do this, but the charity does some tremendous work. I realise that there are a lot of young people out there whose promising lives have been ruined and I can't think of anything better than to give some form of financial support to this worthwhile charitable organisation."

Anyone interested in sponsoring Mr Wrightson for the Great North Run can contact him at Manfield Grange, Manfield, Darlington, DL2 2RE.