A local duo are planning to row across the Atlantic to raise money for UnLtd The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs which is a charitable organisation dedicated to fighting loneliness, promoting community resilience and the nation’s long-term economic, social and cultural health.

David Murray lives in South Milton Sands and his rowing partner Guy Rigby lives in Buckinghamshire but has a house in Salcombe.

David’s father Richard Murray was a Salcombe fisherman working with Scratch (author of Salcombe Boy) catching crab and lobster from the Kenavo, Baruto and Silver Sprey. He retired to South Pool with his wife Judith Murray. David’s father died after a long battle against cancer in 2017 and Guy had been one of his greatest friends. They often raced their Salcombe Yawl together and had many other adventures.

David said "Out of the blue he called and asked if I would like to row the Atlantic with him. After considering it for a nanosecond I said yes and the rest is history."

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is due to set off in December.

Guy and David will attempt to row three thousand miles from the Canaries to Antigua. They hope to arrive in February 2022 and if they are successful will be the oldest pair to row any ocean. Guy will be 68 and David 56. The race include solos, pairs, trios, fours and fives.

The boat they will be using is a Rannoch 25. She was built in 2019 and has been christened Lily aka "The Entrepreneur Ship". She is a 24-foot ocean boat with a beam of 5’7"

David and Guy plan to row two hours on two hours off which should accommodate a 90 minute sleep cycle. They only plan to stop for an hour a week to carry out maintenance on the boat. It will involve diving to clean the bottom of the boat and the ocean is five miles deep in some places,

They are likely to see whales, dolphins and sharks.

The duo have a target of raising £750.000 and have currently raised just shy of half a million pounds. Guy explains why they chose the charity

"Unltd promote and fund social entrepreneurs, so from underprivileged backgrounds with no access to bank of mum and dad!"

If you would like to sponsor the duo you can go to The Entrepreneur Ship- Atlantic rowing challenge and sponsorship opportunities are also available by e-mailling Guy on [email protected]