FOUR friends are appealing for businesses to sponsor their brave bid to row the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to Antigua in aid of charity.

Haslemere man Rob Hamilton, who is taking up a place at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst next January and describes himself as an “adventure junkie”, and fellow members of the four-man Seas the Day team are taking part in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge in December 2016.

During the 3,000-mile, unsupported ocean rowing race, the team will face many challenges including sleep deprivation, salt sores, dehydration, sun stroke, isolation, 50ft waves and winds of up to 50 knots.

Rob, Midhurst man Miles Furlong-Walker, Simon Floyer from Bordon and Croydon resident Arjun Green will each consume 5,000 calories a day and yet still lose between 10kg and 12kg during the crossing, which will last almost two months. The punishing shift system means the team will row in pairs in shifts of two hours on and two hours off, every day and every night until they reach Antigua.

The race is not until December 2016 but the challenge has already started, as the team must raise around £90,000 up front to buy their boat and cover all their costs. They also hope to raise a further £100,000 for Crohns and Colitis UK and The Prince’s Trust. Simon has been living with Crohns disease since 2004 and still aims to complete the Atlantic Challenge.

To support the team, e-mail [email protected].