Residents and wombles are being recruited by a former personal trainer to tackle a highly ambitious charity drive for flood victims in Pakistan.

Raynes Park office worker Azam Rehman, 27, admits he is "out of shape" and is aiming to raise a massive £88k by rowing 1,750km on his rowing machine over 20 days.

The distance - 1,087 miles – is roughly equivalent of travelling to and from Wimbledon station and Newcastle station twice.

From Monday to Friday last week he was outside Wimbledon station, where he wowed commuters with his rowing prowess.

Then last Saturday afternoon he took his machine to AFC Wimbledon’s stadium in Kingston where the club’s mascot, Haydon the Womble, did a 500m dash despite his furry frame.

So far, Mr Rehman has completed 900km of the challenge, with just eight days left to complete the remaining 850km, and despite only raising £887 so far he said is pleased with the reaction to his challenge.

He said: "The support from people has been amazing. On Saturday, there was this one guy who had about six pints then got on the rower and smashed 1,000 metres in four minutes.

"By getting the community involved, I would want them not just donate, but to row part of the distance, so they are physically helping."

To contribute visit www.justgiving.com/azamrehman.