A County Durham woman who "absolutely hates running" is preparing to run the length of Sri Lanka to help animals.
Vet Dr Janey Lowes will start her 'Dog Jog' on Friday, October 9, running 620km (385 miles) from Point Pedro in the north to Dondra in the south.
She is on a mission to raise money for a new animal hospital.
The WeCare Worldwide founder hopes to complete the route in 22 days — the equivalent of almost 30 Great North Runs or nearly 15 marathons.
(Image: WECARE)
The challenge aims to raise £1.6 million to fund a new veterinary hospital, rehabilitation centre and training facility for Sri Lanka's street dogs.
Dr Lowes, from Durham, has spent almost 12 years caring for animals in Sri Lanka and will run more than a half marathon a day through heat, humidity and steep terrain.
But Dr Lowes says the challenge pales beside the suffering endured by Sri Lanka’s estimated three million street dogs.
(Image: WECARE)
She said: "For almost 12 years I've dedicated my life to Sri Lanka's street dogs.
"We're all burnt out and working far beyond our capacity, but it's still not enough.
"We're constantly turning animals away despite having a hospital that's bursting at the seams.
"Our humble hospital has changed so many lives over the years, but it's time to dream bigger for the dogs who still desperately need us."
(Image: WECARE)
Dr Lowes admits training has been gruelling.
She said: "I haven't run since school so training has been tough, especially on top of a full-time vet job in the tropics.
"Thirty-four-degree heat, 85 per cent humidity and crazy monsoon rains are no joke.
"Feeling exhausted, losing countless toenails and being unable to sit on the loo are nothing compared to the suffering we see daily.
"If a dog can survive losing a nose, having its leg torn off by a train or being eaten alive by maggots, I can get through this.
"I absolutely hate running and am yet to experience that elusive runner's high, so this has been tough, but I'm suffering so that street dogs don't have to."
(Image: WECARE)
Dr Lowes has built a large social-media following by documenting her training and preparations for the challenge.
Her journey began in 2014 during a backpacking trip to Sri Lanka, where she was struck by the number of dogs living without access to veterinary care.
After returning to the UK, she secured backing from Westway Veterinary Group, which donated £10,000 to help her establish WeCare Worldwide.
Her planned one-year sabbatical became a long-term mission.
(Image: WECARE)
Today, the charity operates one of the best-equipped veterinary hospitals outside Colombo and employs more than 60 staff.
It has also introduced a mobile neutering clinic called Big Bertha, Sri Lanka’s first street-dog tuk-tuk ambulance and specialist dog-catching vehicles.
Since its creation, WeCare says it has delivered more than 35,000 rabies vaccinations, carried out 25,000 neutering procedures and provided 6,000 emergency treatments.
(Image: WECARE)
The charity has secured land for the new hospital, rehabilitation centre and training facility, but Dr Lowes says it still needs the funds to build them.
The development is expected to help about 3,000 more animals a year and train veterinary professionals across Sri Lanka.
(Image: WECARE)
Read more
Meet eight of the rescue dogs searching for forever homes in North East
'Thank you, Harls' - hero police dog retires after nearly eight years of service
Our Yorkshire Farm's Amanda Owen reveals names of new dogs after loss of Chalky
WeCare Worldwide patron Ben Fogle praised Dr Lowes’ commitment.
He said: "Janey is like a whirlwind of selflessness.
"A beautiful spirit in a beautiful country doing a beautiful thing.
"I encourage my children to be more Janey. With more positive spirits like Janey, the world would be a better place."