A sporting GP has prescribed himself a triple challenge to give youngsters a sporting chance.

Dr Martin Mackintosh is tackling this weekend's London Triathlon with the aim of raising over £1,000 for the Lords Taverners.

The London event, which takes place this weekend, August 2 and 3, will see him doing a 1500m swim in the Excel Docks; a 40km bike ride and a 10k run - both over closed roads around the capital.

Dr Mackintosh, who has been with Narberth’s Meddgyfa Rhiannon since 1995, is a long-time supporter of the Taverners, being introduced to the charitable organisation while a student by his late father-in-law, Brian Wilson, who was a member in Cardiff.

“The Taverners are very keen on helping disadvantaged young people and those with special needs, particularly by offering them sporting and physical activities and providing minibuses for special schools,” he said. “I’ve done my best to support them over the years, and this year, I wanted to do something special to raise money for them.

“I’ve always had a hankering to have a go at triathlon, and I was lucky enough to get a place on the Taverners’ fund-raising team for the London event, which is actually the largest triathlon in the world.”

Dr Mackintosh is no stranger to going the distance in the name of sport. He ran the London Marathon in 1999, while in 2006, was part of a four-man Narberth team who raised £10,000 for the Taverners and the Paul Sartori Foundation by a cycle ride around Wales.

"I’ve always tried to keep pretty fit and healthy,” said 51-year-old Dr Mackintosh, who lives in Templeton with his wife Caerie. “As a doctor, it makes sense to lead your patients by example.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor Dr Mackintosh can donate via www.virginmoneygiving.com/DoctorMac