A 17-stone man successfully rowed a marathon on his 60th birthday to raise money for a brain-damaged teenager.

Former carer Roger Bridges, of Beeleigh Road, Maldon, spent three hours and 27 minutes on a rowing machine at the Park Drive Health Club in aid of the Sam Richards Recovery Group.

He raised more than £500, which will go towards buying a communication aid for 18-year-old Sam, after asking for his family to send donations rather than buy birthday presents.

Sam was badly injured in a playground accident in September 2012, but is making good progress at a Clacton respite centre.