Ex-rugby player from Henley takes on Atlantic rowing challenge

A former England rugby sevens player is taking on a 3,000 nautical mile (4,828 km) rowing challenge for several charities supporting Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Ollie Phillips, from Henley on Thames, will be rowing with three other friends across the Atlantic Ocean as part of the world’s toughest row, external.

The challenge starts next month in La Gomera in the Canary Islands and finishes at English Harbour in Antigua, the journey is expected to take 35 to 45 days.

Mr Phillips told BBC Radio Berkshire: “This will be my toughest challenge yet because of the lack of sleep, we will be rowing two hours on, two hours off and won’t get a full nights kip.”