Ref. 29981-25LEON Moore set himself a challenge to raise money to help stamp out cruelty to monkeys.

Mr Moore, 27, who lives in Colebrook Road, Coleview, was left so depressed after watching a Christmas documentary on monkey cruelty, that he felt he had to do something to ease their suffering.

So he undertook a sponsored four-hour gym session at Cannons Health Club on Greenbridge Retail Park.

Although the money is still rolling in, Mr Moore, who works at Gorse Hill furniture store That Shop, is confident that he will reach the £1,000 mark.

The first event he undertook was a 50-length swim, which was quickly followed by a five mile run, a ten-mile cycle ride, a two-tonne squat, a two-tonne bench press and 500 sit-ups.

He finished the challenge with a 25-length warm down.

Mr Moore has pledged to give the money he raises to Monkey World a Dorset-based charity, which works with governments to stamp out cruelty to primates.

"It was tough," he said. "But I was determined to complete it.

"The hardest part was the cycle ride straight after the swim and run. My legs just turned to jelly and I found it really hard."

In many European countries, monkeys and apes are still paraded through streets on chains for up to 16 hours a day.

Often their owners beat them if they refuse to perform.

"I found the television programme really disturbing. They are our closest relative but we treat them horrifically," said Mr Moore, who is appealing to the people of Swindon to help stamp out the trade.