GWENT businessman Nigel Davies, pictured, is ready for the experience of a lifetime.

The Cwmbran managing director leaves on Wednesday to run in the New York marathon on November 3 -- and he's doing it for charity.

His cause is the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the inspiration is seven-year-old Daniel, granddaughter of his secretary Cath Sinclair.

"It'll be a fantastic experience, I'll be running round the five bridges of New York and I'm hoping to do it in around four hours," said Nigel, who is managing director of Mon & Borders Motor Factors.

"It all started when I was at a dinner in Cardiff and I got involved with Steve Brace, the Welsh Athletics Association director.

"A few others were going to do it, like Matthew Maynard and Robert Croft, of Glamorgan County Cricket Club, but they had to pull out.

"But I kept going and had a warm-up in the Great North Run a few weeks ago."

Nigel has a major sporting background, being Gwent County golf captain for four years and county champion in the early 1980s. He asks for any further pledges for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to be sent to his office. He is committed to raising £3,000 for the charity.