THE plight of the orangutan has inspired Ledbury man David Faulkner to put on his running shoes and get in training for a marathon.

Mr Faulkner, of Robinsons Meadow, first came across these fascinating animals when he and his wife Sara took their honeymoon in Borneo.

During their stay, they visited the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where they found about the problems facing these rare primates.

"They're in massive trouble," said Mr Faulkner. "In Borneo they are clearing the forests to make way for palm oil plantation and there are fears that they could be extinct in the next 10 years.

"I kept telling people about it, and eventually I decided to do something. I did a fun run when I was a kid, and I've always been interested in sport, but I've never done a marathon before."

Together with Sarah Baker, a colleague from his workplace, the Sanctuary Housing Association in Worcester, Mr Faulkner will run in either the London or Paris Marathon next year.

Meanwhile, he's running about 40km a week, and as part of his training will run the Cardiff half-marathon on October 18.

And he is urging as many people as possible to support his appeal.

"The money goes straight to the centre where we've adopted two baby orangutans, and every bit of support helps," he said. To support him, visit justgiving.com/orangutans2010/.