ROWING enthusiast Adam Green is preparing to take part in an event that will push him to the limit as he supports a friend whose wife died from cancer just days after their marriage.

Mr Green, 37, from Great Bedwyn, near Marlborough is godfather to Alba Smith, two, whose mum Anna died in June last year.

Her husband Ed, who is a former pupil of Devizes School, has put together a four man team to take on Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2021 to raise money for the charity Victoria’s Promise which helped his family during his wife’s illness.

Mr Green, who is the only experienced rower in the squad, is already a fitness fan but even he is having to step up his training to be ready for the event which is billed as the world’s toughest row.

His wife Phillipa and children Iris, four, and Arabella, two, are supporting him as he gets ready for the immense challenge which will see the Anna Victorious team, which also includes Rob Murray and Jack Biss, row more than 3,000 nautical miles from the Canary Islands to Antigua non-stop.

He said: “My wife was a bit apprehensive but she is a sports nutritionist and into fitness herself so she is helping me.

“Although I have a lot of rowing experience on rivers and lakes and static machines this is going to be completely different. It will be a bit like rowing a bath tub.

“But it is a very organised event and there will be support out there. We have been told the biggest effect can be on mental health so we need to prepare for that as well.”

Mr Green, who works for energy giant SSE as an electrical and mechanical engineer, hopes his firm will help with sponsorship and he is also planning to organise fundraisers in the Marlborough area.

He said: “I am a member of Emmanuel Church in Marlborough and everyone there is very supportive.” Go to www.annavictorious.co.uk