AN EAST Lancashire man will row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in a gruelling world record attempt to raise money for charity.

Gareth Wilson, 27, of Wythburn Close, Burnley, will set sail from Gran Canaria on New Year’s Eve in aid of Brain Tumour UK.

Gareth, a former pupil at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Blackburn, was inspired to join the 14-man crew by his sister Natalie, 28, who was diagnosed with a tumour in January.

Now he is hoping he and his crew can cross the Atlantic is less than a month to set a new world record.

He said: “Natalie was the inspiration behind me doing it and the main reason but I like a challenge and I like endurance events.

“I am really looking forward to doing it, although it will certainly not be a pleasure cruise.

“We will be rowing two hours on and two hours off, 24 hours a day for almost a month.

“Anything could happen but I have been training hard and we are very confident of breaking the world record.”

Currently, the world record for the Gran Canaria to Barbados trip stands at 33 days, seven hours and 30 minutes.

Members of the crew, made up of athletes and university graduates from Cambridge and Harvard, expect to lose up to four stones each trying to break it.

But Gareth, who has previously swum the English Channel and run marathons in the Sahara Desert, is confident he is equal to the task.

And he insists that the courage of his sister, who is now “doing well”, will be all the inspiration he needs.

He added: “At first it was difficult for her and she was so down about it.

“But now she has got her life back after the radiotherapy and operations and she has started working again.”

The rowers will row for two hours followed by two hours rest for 24 hours a day, which will see them constantly battling against the effects of sleep deprivation.

Each of the rowers will be allowed just 10kgs of personal kit and belongings on the 15 metre boat.

The crossing will also be unsupported meaning the crew will have to cope with seasickness, encounters from sea life such as whales and sharks and bad weather.

Gareth’s row is organised by Ocean Row Events. To sponsor him call 07525 162922 or donate online at the website below.