Four friends have set off today (December 11) on a gruelling 3,000-mile rowing adventure across the Atlantic Ocean.

The plucky quartet are taking part in the World’s Toughest Row race from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean to raise money for Cornish mental health charity Invictus Trust.

Skipper James Brittain-Long, from Constantine, Paul Hayes from Falmouth, Luke Morgan and David Radford-Wilson from Dorset have joined together for the challenge which set off from La Gomera alongside 37 others boats this morning after the start was brought forward by 24 hours because of forecast wind conditions.

The team are taking part in the rowing adventure of a lifetime to raise money for the Cornish mental health charity Invictus. (Picture: World's Toughest Row)
The team are taking part in the rowing adventure of a lifetime to raise money for the Cornish mental health charity Invictus. (Picture: World's Toughest Row) ( )

The team spent the last nine days packing their 8.5m boat using a 272-item checklist provided by the race organisers ranging from immersion suits and sunblock, to parachute flares and baby wipes as well 300kgs of high-energy dehydrated food, and emergency water supplies for ballast.

They will row their boat, the Invictus Atlantic, two hours on, two hours off non-stop for an estimated six weeks, battling waves up to 40 feet high and consuming the equivalent of 26 Mars bars (around 6,000 calories) each day.

Their goal is to raise £100,000 for Invictus Trust, a Cornish mental health charity for young people. Invictus Trust was set up by the Cowburn family from Truro in 2011 dedicated to the memory of son and brother 18-year-old Ben Cowburn who took his own life after a period of mental illness.

The funds raised by the Invictus Atlantic team will go towards funding the Trust’s pilot counselling service for 11 to 21-year-olds in Cornwall for a second year following its successful launch in January.

The Invictus Atlantic team will now spend the next six weeks or so rowing two hours on, two hours off battling waves up to 40 feet high. (Picture: World's Toughest Row)
The Invictus Atlantic team will now spend the next six weeks rowing two hours on, two hours off battling waves up to 40 feet high. (Picture: World's Toughest Row) ( )

Speaking before they set off, skipper James said: “This has been two years in the making and apart from a last minute wobble with our portable water-maker we’re ready to go and can’t wait to get rowing.”

James, who will turn 60 somewhere mid-Atlantic, said the crew felt well-prepared and hoped to complete the gruelling challenge in about six weeks. This will mean spending Christmas and New Year at sea, away from their families, but he said the cause was worth it.

“Invictus Trust does amazing and much-needed work for young people throughout Cornwall. We’ve had amazing support so far and we hope people will follow our regular updates on Instagram and our Invictus Atlantic website and donate what they can.”

The four friends have been planning for the race for two years and say they're well-prepared and hope to complete the 3,000 miles in six weeks. (Photo: World's Toughest Row)
The four friends have been planning for the race for two years and say they're well-prepared and hope to complete the 3,000 miles in six weeks. (Photo: World's Toughest Row) ( )

The crew has secured sponsorship from 34 mainly Cornish businesses to help meet the costs of their epic voyage, including lead sponsor Aspects Holidays. Mandy Spencer, commercial director of Aspects Holidays, said: "This is an epic challenge for an amazing Cornish charity and we’re proud to support the Invictus Atlantic team. Adolescent mental health is a vital issue, and we wish the crew every success in their adventure.”

The team will be at sea for the next six weeks, rowing around the clock. You can follow their progress on Instagram @invictus.atlantic.row and on their race diary at invictusatlantic.com/race-diary, where donations can also be made.