Mr McBeth, a community nurse at Boker Lane Health Centre in East Boldon, is gearing himself up for the challenge to raise cash for the Get Kids Going charity.

The 52-year-old is already in training and will use the 13-mile Great North Run in October to warm up for his US run the month after.

Mr McBeth, who lives in Wallsend, North Tyneside, said: "I just thought it would be a great way to raise money for these disadvantaged children.

"Sport has always been a big part of my life and I love running, so I thought I'd do something worthwhile and give the New York City Marathon a go.

"I need to raise £2,000 just to get there and to have somewhere to stay. After that, everything will be going to the charity.

"Being a community nurse myself, I deal with people of all kinds of ability, and I think it's really important to give everyone the chance to take part in sport.

"Disabled people need specialist equipment to take part in sport, which obviously costs money, so I'm hoping that I can help out in some way."

Get Kids Going gives disabled children and young people, up to the age of 26, the chance to participate in sport.

Its provides special sports wheelchairs, enabling them to take part in a whole host of sports, from marathons to basketball.

The charity also helps and encourages disabled children to compete by providing training, physiotherapy and travel.

Limited to 37,000 entrants because of its popularity, the New York City Marathon is an annual road race through all five boroughs of the Big Apple.

To donate, log on to www.justgiving.com/philsnewyorkmarathon