IT SEEMS that the weather can ruin things for even the most determined of human beings. Action man and rower Charlie Pitcher, from Felsted, has been delayed in his bid to single-handily row the width of the Atlantic Ocean. The Father-of-four has been prep

IT SEEMS that the weather can ruin things for even the most determined of human beings.

Action man and rower Charlie Pitcher, from Felsted, has been delayed in his bid to single-handily row the width of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Father-of-four has been preparing for the epic 3000-mile voyage for the best part of two years and will be racing across the blue void in memory of best friend, Shaun McLeod-Jones, who died of kidney failure in 2003, aged 40.

He will be raising cash for the dialysis renal unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, who helped care for Shaun during his 74 operations to try and cure his disease.

Currently Charlie, who is also in his forties, is waiting at the starting line on the island of La Gomera near to mainland Spain. He has been there for three weeks as his mission has become plagued with technical hitches and atrocious weather.

Speaking from his base Charlie told The Broadcast : "Unfortunately I am still stuck here until the bad weather goes through. This could be weeks, but the Spanish authorities will not allow us to go until there is a good weather window.

"I am missing my family, but staying focused on the task ahead."

Charlie added that all final preparations have been done including replacing all-important boxes of safety flares which had been sent to South Africa by mistake.

"The safety flares which were shipped out for the entire fleet from Tilbury last month, have ended up in Cape Town," he said, "But new flares have now been sent out to us."

Looking forward to the challenge Charlie is confident he can beat other competitors who are due to take part in what essentially is a race.

He added: "I feel fine about leaving the comfort of this island and venturing out into the Atlantic Ocean in my tiny little rowing boat, there are a few less prepared and rather more anxious racers around.

"My boat is small and maybe slow, but I do know it will look after me as long as I stay attached. The only thing that worries me is my right shoulder muscle because it can be a problem - but that is it."

So far Charlie has raised over �23,000 and the total on his Just Giving website (http://www.justgiving.com/charliepitcher) is still rising.