A FELSTED rower has entered one of the toughest events in the world hoping to break records and raise tens of thousands of pounds for a charity close to his own heart. Charlie Pitcher, 45, from Alderton Close, will be rowing across the Atlantic Ocean SOLO

A FELSTED rower has entered one of the toughest events in the world hoping to break records and raise tens of thousands of pounds for a charity close to his own heart.

Charlie Pitcher, 45, from Alderton Close, will be rowing across the Atlantic Ocean SOLO after entering the Woodvale Transatlantic Rowing Race, which has the slogan "The Worlds Toughest Rowing Race".

A very competitive man, Mr Pitcher has a pedigree of yachting and rowing behind him. He said: "I was born into a family with a traditional sailing background and I am stranger to wet and windy weather."

He has a long list of offshore races to his credit including the America's Cup, Admiral's Cups, Whitbread and Olympic campaigns. After being a full time team player for over a decade, he then became an RYA Racing Coach for Youth and Women's Match Racing and the RYA UK Etchells Class Coach for a few years, whilst operating the RYA National Match Racing Championships event for six years.

The Trans-Atlantic race doesn't start until December 2009 but preparations are at a very advanced stage. Mr Pitcher explains: "This may seem like a long way away, but I have already been training for well over a year and there are only 18 months left to complete a design, build a boat, test it, equip it and then, most importantly raise some substantial money."

Mr Pitcher will be raising funds for the Kidney Dialysis Department at Addenbrooks Hospital in Cambridge, something which is very dear to his own heart. "My best friend would have been doing this challenge with me, but he died four years ago of kidney failure, after a rugby accident. My youngest son Freddie also only has one kidney, so I am honoured to support this charity."

Mr Pitcher has a whole family supporting him, is wife Emma, his sister Virginia (who also is his PA), his four children Lottie, Tim, James and Freddie, and even his mother "JJ" who he will be naming the boat after.

At 45 he is one of the older entries but that is not deterring him from the challenge one little bit. He said: "My goal is to win my class and weather permitting, set a new record."

To see how you can help him on this epic challenge visit www.transatlanticsolo.com