A north-east duo and a Highland man have embarked on a 3,000-mile adventure across the Atlantic to raise funds for causes close to their hearts.
Robert Strachan and Duncan Adamson Brown yesterday departed from La Gomera, in the Canary Islands, in their vessel – the Papa Delta – as part of the Talisker Whisky Challenge.
The personal trainers, both from Torry, with the monicker “Rowing for Rascals” have embarked on the challenge in aid of the Archie Foundation – who support the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and the youngsters being treated there.
And Fort William sailor, Liam Browning, is also taking part as a member of the four-man crew “All Beans No Monkeys” to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
They set off from the scenic port yesterday morning as a beautiful pink sunrise lit up the Atlantic Ocean – which will be their home for the next couple of months.
Mr Strachan and Mr Brown hope to make the journey across the Equator to the Bahamas in 60 days.
Speaking yesterday, Claire Bush, regional fundraising manager for the Archie Foundation, said: “This is a really exciting day for us all. The guys have been building up to this for nearly two years and the big day has finally arrived.
“Everybody at Archie sends them their best wishes for a safe passage and we look forward to welcoming them home.
“As well as the funds they are raising for the sick children in hospital, we hope they will come and tell them their stories when they return.”
Speaking the night before they set off on their expedition, Mr Strachan, 34, said it was “going to be a long 3,000 miles”.
He added they were both “fiercely competitive athletes”.
And he added: “We have a passion for endurance events and this represents our greatest challenge ever. We are relishing the chance to stretch ourselves and find out what we are capable of.”
The duo are also raising cash for London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.
They will be cut off from the outside world whilst braving the often treacherous conditions on the high seas and will only be equipped with a GPS for emergency situations.
Mr Browning, 29, is taking part with fellow ex-Newcastle University students James Timbs-Harrison, James Kendall and Stuart Markland.
He said the journey would “push our mental fitness to a whole new level”.
Donations can still be made towards the Rowing for Rascals campaign at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving/