A KEIGHLEY businessman is tackling his sixth – and final – charity marathon.

Peter Wowk will pound the streets of Chicago on October 7 in aid of Project Xavier, an organisation which helps provide education to refugees in East Africa.

He has previously taken part in marathons in London, New York, Paris, Munich and Edinburgh, raising over £6,000 for Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice Manorlands and Cancer Research UK.

But he has decided to hang-up his running shoes once the sextet is complete.

“I’m now running so slowly that people have told me they can’t tell if I’m running on the spot or going backwards!” said Mr Wowk, 55, managing director of Speak’s Workwear in Keighley.

“The support shown by people has been terrific and I’m asking for their generosity one more time.

“I’ve been inspired to try to raise a bit of money for Project Xavier by an old friend’s daughter, Jojo Tobbell, who has been working with the charity in Uganda and Kenya – helping to bring education and hope to thousands of refugees.”

He will be joined on the streets of Chicago by his friend, Steve Barraclough, from Glusburn.

Mr Barraclough, 58, a plumbing and heating engineer, took part in this month’s Berlin Marathon.

“Hopefully he’ll help me get to the finish in Chicago – before he runs the New York in November!” said Mr Wowk.

“He’s great company to run with.”

Mr Wowk has set-up an online fundraising page, at justgiving.com/fundraising/peterwowk6andout.

He has so far raised more than £400 towards his £1,000 target.

For more details about Project Xavier, visit xavierproject.org.