Sheffield vet takes on marathon mission for charity
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 A charity vet from Sheffield is gearing up for the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 23 April.
Robert Haselgrove (37) is taking on the 26.2-mile challenge in aid of leading PDSA, which provides veterinary care for 470,000 pets every year. Robert has worked for the charity, treating pets in need, for seven years.
With a gruelling training programme in place to help ensure he crosses the finish line within a target time of 3 hours 45 minutes, Robert is hoping that Sheffield and South Yorkshire’s animal lovers will support his marathon challenge.
Robert said: “Every day I see the impact PDSA has on the lives of some of the area’s most vulnerable pets. It is a real privilege to be able to help support the pet owners of South Yorkshire.
"For many of the owners we help, their pets are their only companion. Being able to help those in difficult circumstances who can’t afford the vet care their pets need makes such a difference to people’s lives.
"I wanted to do my part in helping raise vital and much-needed funds for the charity as well as raising awareness for this often overlooked charity.”
Robert first ran the Virgin London Marathon back in 2013, and said: “Enough time has passed for me to forget the pain of long, daily runs in the cold, so I thought I would do it again! Apart from being a bit nervous, I’m really looking forward to it!”
“Before I knew I’d got a place in the marathon, I regularly went for 5 mile runs with my dog, Puddle. I’ve gradually increased these and do at least 16 mile runs as part of my training programme now.
Robert added: “I’ve been Senior Vet at Sheffield PDSA Pet Hospital for the past two years, and worked as a veterinary surgeon for five years before that.
"It really is a fantastic job and a great organisation to work for. We treat over 140 pets each day and I see a large variety of cases as many of our clients cannot afford private vet fees.
"It is a real privilege to be able to help the pet owners of South Yorkshire and I’m looking forward to running the marathon to raise much needed funds.”
Rosie Gibbons, PDSA Community Events Fundraiser, said: “Rob’s marathon effort means many pets will receive the vital veterinary treatment they need and we’re enormously grateful to have his support. We’ll be cheering Rob and the rest of Team PDSA’s runners along the course and I hope local animal lovers will support him too.”
To support Robert’s marathon mission to raise £1,500 for PDSA and Prostate Cancer UK: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RobertHaselgrove.
For more information about fundraising for PDSA call 0800 508 8323.
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