FORMER King Edward’s Witley pupil Justin Evelegh is in training for the ultimate high-seas challenge.

Qualified as a yachtmaster, the 32-year-old is joining fellow sports enthusiasts The Marquess of Blandford and brothers Caspar and Toby Thorp to row a small boat 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to fund a year’s worth of wishes for seriously ill children on behalf of Starlight Children’s Foundation.

The four-strong ‘Oar Inspiring’ team are competing in The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Starting from San Sebastian in La Gomera on December 12, en route to Antigua, they will row in pairs for 24 hours a day for up to 90 days, working two hours on and two hours off.

The fastest time for the race by a team of four is 29 days, 14 hours and 34 minutes and the longest was 96 days. They are competing against 15 other teams of four in their category.

Justin, who used to live in Haslemere, said: “We were looking for something that would take us out of our comfort zones and there is no doubt the Atlantic Ocean will put us to the ultimate test both mentally and physically.

“We have set the bar high and this is the biggest challenge yet any of us have faced.”