A City trader of 20 years has swapped his business suit for a wetsuit and trainers as he prepares to host his first sports event.

Two years ago, Matt Hudson had worked in equity trading for 20 years and this January he launched Total Motion Events, which is hosting an Aquathlon at Tooting Lido next month.

Matt said: “I used to really love my job in the City, but after 20 years people change and the things you love doing when you’re in your twenties aren’t necessarily what you want to be doing in your 40s.”

The first event Matt is hosting for 2016, an Aquathlon, takes place on Saturday, May 14, starting at 7:15am.

It is made up of an 810m swim, the equivalent of nine lengths of Tooting Lido, followed by a 7.3km run around Tooting common.

Matt said: “The beauty of an event like this is it is right on people’s doorsteps, so competitors don’t have to spend a large portion of their day travelling, which is a full day activity in itself for a couple of hours of racing.

"Whereas this is local for thousands of people in the south west of London.”

Matt explained how the event is available to athletes of all abilities meaning it is a good bridge between a more relaxed event and some of the tougher competitions that take place outside of London.

It costs £35 to enter as an individual and £40 to enter as a relay team.

Later in the year Total Motion Events has two more main events planned. On Sunday, May 29, Matt is hosting The Broadgate Tower Stair Climb, raising money for the charity Give Them a Sporting Chance.

An Aquathlon in September will raise money for the premature baby charity Ickle Pickles.

As well as staging aquathlons and stair climbs Total Motion Events also provides bespoke events for charities, schools and corporates.

Like our What's On page on Facebook for entertainment news, interviews, reviews and features from across south London.

Your Local Guardian: