DETERMINED Louise Turmaine is attempting to row across the English Channel for charity.

Louise, 30, of Harvest Road, Canvey, will row 23 miles from Dover to Colbart Nord to raise money for London-based charity the Ahoy Centre.

She will take on the challenge with five others and they will undertake the row in a 34ft, fixed seat Thames Waterman Cutter – a modern version of a 17th-century passenger boat used on the Thames.

Louise, who has been rowing for three years, will be the most experienced person in the team.

She said: “I received a fundraising flyer at work about the charity earlier in the year, so I called them up and went along to a taster session.

“It’s a charity that does really good work and this is my way of helping out. There were different challenges, but I thought I’d go for the most insane one.

“I’ve done races and other challenges before, but this will be the first time for something like this.”

Louise will be joined by Will Austin, 33, from Poplar, Alessandro De Noia, 29, and Alessandro Caire, 31, from Italy, Coral Atkinson, 33, from Crawley, and Narinder Kalsey, 40, from Bromley.

She is hoping theywill be able to complete the challenge, on Saturday, August 2, in nine hours. She said: “It depends on the weather – the whole thing is nerve-wracking, as I’m the only rower on the team, but that can also be a good thing.”

The team is hoping to raise £12,000 for the charity, which works with disadvantaged youngsters.

It also ensures people with disabilities can enjoy being out on the water. Visit www.just giving.com/teams/dead-oar-alive