A British soldier based in Cyprus is set to run a full marathon in scuba gear to raise funds to rescue three stray cats, it emerged on Friday.

Chief Instructor at the Joint Services Adventurous Training Wing, Sub Aqua Branch Dale Jacques will the 40kms (26.2-mile) wearing full scuba gear (minus fins) next Saturday, January 18.

The route will take him through Larnaca, starting and finishing at Cops Cats Café in Pyla.

Dale’s goal is to raise enough money to cover the €1,400 (£1,200) cost of flying the three cats back to the UK when his posting in Cyprus ends later this month.

“This is one of those last-minute ideas I’ve somehow talked myself into… I’ve never even ran a marathon before… never mind in Scuba… and as it’s a last-minute idea before we move, I’ve done zero training for this either… but in true squaddie style I’m going to wing it… and hope for the best!” Dale said.

The online fundraiser, has already raised almost €300 though it is still short of the total needed to cover the cats’ flight costs. “We’ve already paid for their jabs, and pet passports etc so anything raised over the cost of the flight will be donated to Cops Cats, a Cyprus-based cat charity,” he added.

Dale and his family have been stationed in Cyprus since 2023 and have been deeply moved by the plight of stray cats on the island.

“Cyprus is literally littered with stray cats, most are in very poor health and struggle to survive without human assistance, particularly in the summer heat,” he said.

During their time on the island, the family has paid for several local strays to be neutered and to receive emergency veterinary care. However, three cats have become particularly attached to them. “They sneak into our house to sleep (and steal extra food),” Dale said.

As the family prepares to return to the UK at the end of January, they are determined to ensure these cats have a safe future. “We are worried nobody else will care for them when we leave, so we have adopted them and are now raising funds to fly them back to the UK to join us.”

The issue of stray cats in Cyprus has reached critical levels, with estimates suggesting a population close to one million.

Despite efforts since 2019 to implement a nationwide neutering programme in collaboration with local authorities and animal welfare organisations, progress has been slow. Current funding supports approximately 1,500 to 2,000 sterilisations annually.

However, officials have suggested that, according to European standards for effective societal functioning and humane treatment of stray cats, at least 75 per cent of the stray cat population should be sterilised.

You can donate to Dale’s cause here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/adopting-stray-cyprus-cats-and-offering-them-a-forever-home