A personal trainer is pushing himself to new limits to raise money for Braintree's maternity hospital.

Terry Haywood, 56, is preparing to row 42,195 metres, the equivalent of a full marathon, as a fundraiser for the William Julien Courtauld Birthing Centre.

He has set himself a target of completing the mammoth challenge within four hours, and has begun training already in preparation for the December.

Mr Haywood will row the distance at his work - 1-Life Leisure Centre in Great Dunmow.

He said: “This is not an officially organised event, but something I will independently be doing because I have connections on several fronts with the unit and I know how hard the staff work to provide a great service for expecting mums and their families, and any extra funding they receive will help them to continue to do just that.

“Although I’m not a rowing fanatic, I did previously row a marathon about four years ago and said afterwards that I would never do it again because it was one of the most unpleasant things I had ever done.

"However, knowing that I will be raising money for a very worthy cause is enough inspiration to override any unpleasantness that it will certainly bring.”

Mr Haywood is hoping to raise £1,500 for the birthing centre.

Donate www.justgiving.com/fundraising/terry-haywood1.