A financial advisor from Wandsworth is preparing to take on the London Marathon later this year, in support of an animal rights charity.

Rowan Howse, 31, is taking on the capital’s 26.2 mile course in October on behalf of NoToDogMeat - which helps rescue dogs and cats destined for the meat market trade in Asia.

Rowan applied for the marathon after being approached by a friend who works with the charity in London.

Wandsworth Times:

Rowan - who grew up in Durban - will be lacing up his trainers alongside thousands of other runners to compete in The London Marathon on Sunday October 2, 2022.

The challenge has been on Rowan's bucket list for about 10 years, he says, after he was inspired by his dad who ran it in 2001.

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Rowan told the Wandsworth Times: "They were looking for people to fundraise that like dogs and like to run, so my friend thought of me.

Wandsworth Times: Rowan's dog Rowan's dog

"It's a cause close to my heart as we always had dogs when I was growing up, and my sister-in-law has a Korean Jindo cross breed called Kona who was saved from the dog meat trade.

"Dad's time was 3:02, so I'm hoping to beat the family record by running it in under three hours! Training is going well and I'm lucky to have some fantastic locations to run nearby, including Wandsworth Common, the Thames Path and Richmond Park."

Julia De Cadenet, who set up NoToDogMeat in 2009, said: "We are grateful to Rowan for taking on the infamous London Marathon on our behalf. The funds he is raising will help us rescue and care for even more dogs and cats from a barbaric fate."

If you would like to support Rowan, you can donate by visiting his fundraising page here