As Braintree resident and Police Inspector Mark Harman, 44, undergoes his final few weeks of rigorous training in preparation for the London Marathon, he has two things on his mind. Not only is he treating the marathon as a warm-up race for the Lanzarote Ironman Triathlon that he will be undertaking in May, he is also doing it to raise money and awareness for greyhounds who need homes.

The proceeds from Mark’s fundraising effort will go directly to the Retired Greyhound Trust (RGT), a national charity dedicated to finding homes for retired greyhounds. The ex-sprinters kennelled by the RGT’s 60 branches UK-wide will benefit greatly from the contribution Mark raises, which will help pay for their food and care.

Mark is also hoping that his effort will help spread the word that greyhounds make wonderful pets, for young and old alike.

"They are wonderful dogs," confirms Mark, "and I’m pleased to be running the London Marathon in their honour. I hope that by getting out there on 23 April and wearing the RGT logo I will encourage a few people to consider adopting a greyhound themselves."

Mark’s love for greyhounds stems from his own personal experience. "My wife and I recently adopted a gorgeous retired greyhound called Lulu. She is a wonderful dog, and a great companion to our other rescued dogs - Sky, who is a lurcher and Zak, a whippet. She keeps me company on my shorter runs – she’s too lazy to go on the longer ones!

"Sadly there is no space left in our house for more greyhounds, so I really want to encourage more people to provide one with a loving home," Mark adds.

If you would like to support Mark’s marathon efforts, you can sponsor him by logging on to www.justgiving.com/greyhounds/donate or by emailing him at Mark.Harman@essex.pnn.police.uk

To find out more about adopting a retired greyhound, you can contact Steve Cobb at Clarks Farm Kennels in Maldon on 01621 788315. Or log on to www.clarksfarmgreyhounds.org.uk