Challenge: In inclement weather, Matt Hartley hosts his BBQs under a gazebo (Picture: Mathew Hartley)

A South African man is planning to brave the wild weather of Wimbledon, south London, over the course of the next 12 months by holding a barbecue every day – come rain, wind or snow – to raise money to adopt a rhino.

Matt Hartley, 31, loves alfresco dining so much that, after his friends challenged him to continue BBQing even when the current warm weather ends, he decided to go ahead with his slightly bizarre plan.

However, although he admits he ‘loves a bit of steak’ he has been forced to take on a more varied menu under pressure from his girlfriend.

Better weather: Our BBQ maniac enjoys the sunshine (Picture: Mathew Hartley)

As a result, he’s taken to barbecuing meals such as pizza and chicken curry pie as well as prime cuts of beef – and he says any proceeds he raises through sponsorship money will go towards adopting a rhino back in his homeland.




‘I love to braai [South African barbecue] and, after many debates of whether or not it was possible to braai every day for a year in the UK, I have decided to take on the challenge,’ he said.

‘As a South African, we take our braai very seriously. I pretty much braai every day anyway, through the snow, whatever, and my mates said I couldn’t do it, but I’ll make it through to the end, no problem.’

Beer and a BBQ: Matt Hartley enjoys a beverage in his shorts and South African rugby shirt (Picture: Mathew Hartley)

Claiming he was taught to BBQ ‘just after learning to walk’, Mr Hartley said that after conceding ground over his menu his girlfriend has come around to the idea of eating outside in the rain.

‘She’s loving life – she doesn’t have to cook and there’s less washing up,’ he added to the Wimbledon Guardian.

The cost of sponsoring a rhino in the province of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, is £200 a month.