FOUR young Teignbridge men are training for the challenge of a lifetime – rowing unassisted for 3,000 miles across the Atlantic.

They will be taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, the world’s toughest rowing race, in support of charities.

It will push childhood friends Tom Whittle, 28 from Teignmouth; Lewis Matthews, 28, from Dawlish; Charlie Medwin, 27, from Shaldon, and Chris Slack, 28, from Newton Abbot, to their physical and mental limits.

It’s a daunting prospect – more people have climbed Everest or travelled into space than have successfully navigated the 3,000 nautical miles from La Gomera, off the coast of Africa to English Harbour, Antigua.

They expect to be rowing for up to 40 days with waves of up to 40ft, and temperature fluctuations from zero to 35°C.

The row, in December, involves two years of meticulous preparation – buying, organising, learning about and preparing the boat, mastering navigation, seamanship and survival skills, and training like professional athletes to get their bodies into the condition to endure such hardship.

‘Gaining sponsors will allow us to cover the costs necessary for us to get to the start line. This includes entry fee, boat equipment, and more, which amounts to around £100,000,’ said Charlie.

Over the past few years, Tom’s dad, Adrian, has beaten kidney cancer only to see it return again, and the battle is ongoing. Tom is rowing in aid of Kidney Cancer UK, which seeks to increase awareness and knowledge around kidney cancer by providing patient information by supporting research into the causes, prevention and treatment of the disease.

In 2015, Charlie’s brother, Harry, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called EHE. After two major bowel and liver operations he has regular six-month scans checking for recurrence, as currently there is no cure. EHERCC supports patients around the world while promoting and funding research into EHE, and acting as advocates for greater awareness of the rare cancer.

Lewis has a vision prescription of -9.00, which means he struggles to see anything without corrective lenses.

Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky, and 2.5 billion people in the world need vision correction but 1.1 billion don’t have access to it. OneSight aims to help provide them with quality vision care.

Lewis knows first hand how much difference that will make.

Children naturally love to run, jump, throw and race, while learning about themselves and their surroundings. Chris was lucky enough to have that opportunity when growing up but is aware that many others do not.

Right To Play use the power of play to educate and empower children to overcome the effects of poverty, conflict and disease in disadvantaged communities around the world.