Ludlow dog lover takes on London Marathon

Lou Hackney is taking on the 26.2-mile course for the second time in aid of the PDSA, which cares for more than 470,000 pets across the UK every year.

The 49-year-old is also running to honour her life-saver dog, Mali, who came to live with her and husband Andy fifteen months ago.

Retired British Military Working Dog (MWD) Mali – the only living PDSA Dickin recipient – received the prestigious award after he helped save the lives of troops in Afghanistan.

The nine-year-old Belgian Malinois was part of a unit deployed to Afghanistan in 2012. During his tenure, he assisted in a highly sensitive operation to secure an enemy stronghold, and on two separate occasions was sent through direct fire to search for explosives. He also indicated the presence of insurgents numerous times.

Lou is running for the thousands of pets, who like Mali, play an invaluable role in filling lives with joy, love and companionship.

She said: “As well as looking after Mali I work in the veterinary support team at PDSA’s head office in Telford. I see day-in, day-out the life-saving work that takes place at our pet hospitals across the UK and I want to help raise vital funds for this fantastic charity.”

To get her across the finish line in three weeks’ time, Lou is busy working through a gruelling training programme.

She is hoping to raise £1,900 for PDSA as part of her marathon mission and will be holding a secret auction along with a finishing-time sweep-stake, to raise the vital funds.

Amy Wareing-Reid, fundraising manager at PDSA, said: “Lou’s marathon effort means many pets will receive the vital, life-saving vet treatment they need and we’re so proud that she’s taken on such gruelling training on top of her busy life. We’ll be cheering Lou and the rest of team PDSA’s runners along the course and I hope local animal lovers will support her too.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/louise-hackney