A regional managing director for Johnston Press will take on the challenge of a marathon this weekend to raise funds for a children’s hospice.

Stephen Plews, who is North East MD for the regional publisher, is set to run the first Yorkshire Marathon in York on Sunday.

He will run to raise funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice, near Wetherby in West Yorkshire, where he is a trustee.

Stephen has so far raised £400 in sponsorship but has suffered injuries during his training and says his target, which was initially to finish in four hours, is now just to finish.

He wrote on his Just Giving page: “My training was progressing well till my back injury flared up and cost me nearly four weeks, back to it now but my target has changed from a time to just finishing! Wish me well…”

He added: “As a trustee of the hospice I see on a regular basis the fantastic work and dedicated support provided by the staff and anything we can do to support them is most welcome and needed, especially as about 90pc of the operating costs need to be raised through events such as this marathon, because only 10pc is provided through statutory sources.”

Stephen was previously MD of Johnston Press’ Scarborough and East Yorkshire operations until a management shake-up in January saw him moved to head the North East division.