KAREN Kavde is preparing to pound the streets of London in a bid to provide help for animals across the globe.

The art worker is looking forward to working up a sweat for the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

The 25-year-old, from Chelveston Crescent, has been training for the event for months and wants to complete the 26-mile slog around the streets of the capital in five hours.

She said: "I'm really looking forward to doing the marathon and helping IFAW improve animal welfare around the world."

She added: "I wanted to run for charity and told all my family and friends not to give me Christmas presents last year, but to sponsor me instead."

Karen hopes to raise £1,000 to go towards preventing animal cruelty and supporting a bear sanctuary in Russia as well as funding research on endangered animals.