An animal-lover from Saltney Ferry is appealing for support for his forthcoming London Marathon challenge.

Anthony Smith, 31, is taking on the gruelling 26.2 mile course in aid of leading vet charity, PDSA, which cares for more than 470,000 pets across the UK every year.

Anthony said: “I am passionate about animal welfare and the work that PDSA does.

“Knowing that the money I’m raising will help treat the UK’s most vulnerable pets will keep me going when it gets tough on the day.”

Anthony added: “PDSA treats one pet every five seconds – during the time it will take me to run the marathon, they will help over 3,000 pets. Knowing this many pets will receive the care they desperately need is keeping me motivated during my training.”

Anthony is no stranger to running a marathon, having already completed the New York and Berlin marathons. He will also be taking on the Chicago marathon later this year.

He added: “That feeling after completing a marathon is irreplaceable. It’s what makes me enter again and again, forgetting just how hard the training actually is! It doesn’t get any easier.”

Anthony knows just as well as anyone the enriching and powerful role that animals play. His seven-year-old cat, Sookie, provides him with love and companionship.

Rosie Gibbons, who looks after fundraising for PDSA, said: “Anthony’s marathon effort means many pets will receive the vital, life-saving vet treatment they need and we’re so grateful to have his support. We’ll be cheering Anthony and the rest of Team PDSA’s runners along the course and I hope local animal lovers will support him too.”

The marathon takes place on Sunday.

n You can support Anthony’s mission to help save pets by visiting his fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/anthony-smith-london2018.