A former Oswestry School pupil is set to row the Atlantic later this year.

While everyone else has pledged to eat a little healthier and drink a little less, George Hugheston-Roberts has signed up for the gruelling Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge.

George and friend Matt Mountain will row unsupported for 3,000 nautical miles from the Canary Islands in Spain to the West Indies in the Caribbean.

For George, the challenge is about continuing a family legacy.

He said: “I grew up near the coast and have always loved marine environments, but my motivation came from reading about my late great uncle, Major William Ellery-Anderson MC, who after a career in the Special Forces, lead a group of researchers and explorers in Antarctica.

“From him I have learnt that with a well-trained and planned expedition, you can face and overcome many challenges and I want to one day follow in his footsteps, but not before Matt and I take on the Atlantic Ocean.”

George attended Oswestry School from 2002 until 2009 and is in training to complete the row later this year.

After leaving the school George headed to Australia where he worked on tall ships and became a scuba diving instructor.

He added: “The Atlantic Challenge is a huge adventure and Matt and I are very excited and training hard to prepare for it.”

For the duration of the challenge the boys will row for two hours on and two hours off for 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

There will be sub-zero temperatures at night followed by 40-degree heat during the days.

George’s aim is to win the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

Their aim to complete the challenge is between 40 to 60 days, and they are raising funds for Sea Shepheard Australia.

The non-profit conservation organisation aims to protect the oceans from degradation and destruction and is best known for active conservation techniques against whale and dolphin slaughtering, shark finning and illegal fishing.

For more information visit www.aquaatlanticaustralia.com