Brother of pilot shot down by poachers in Africa is running the London Marathon in his memory

The brother of a man who was shot and killed by poachers in Tanzania is running the London Marathon in his memory.

Wildlife activist Roger Gower from Birmingham was flying a helicopter over the Mwiba game reserve in 2016, when he was shot by an elephant poacher.

Max Gower has already raised nearly £25,000 for the charity 'Born to Fly' which was set up following his death.

Roger Gower, 37, was helping authorities in the country to track criminals when his aircraft was fired upon.

He brought the helicopter down in a game reserve but died from his injuries before rescuers were able to get to him.

The charities intention is to use the money raised to continue Roger's work saving wildlife, through educational projects across Africa.

Even Max Gower admits that his training has not always gone smoothly. Credit: Georgina Gower

Max says he has tried to take the training for the marathon seriously but it hasn't been easy because he is not a natural runner.

"For me it's been incredibly hard, I'm not really a runner...the mind is keen, the body is weak but hopefully I will get round and I'm looking forward to it."