TWO friends are taking on a heroic challenge to row more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic - despite never having set foot in a rowing boat.

Chris Nicholl and James Tordoff, both from Idle, are aiming to finish the race in just 45 days.

The brave pair are taking part in the challenge in aid of two Bradford charities.

Chris, 33, said: "We are not athletes by any stretch. We are just everyday people but we're hoping to inspire others.

"We have never even rowed before so we have really thrown ourselves in at the deep end."

It has been James' lifelong dream to take part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, known as the world's toughest row, since he watched competitors cross the finish line as a child. And he managed to convince Chris to join him when the pair went on a mountain biking holiday in Canada.

The former Hanson Upper School students have now begun an intense training programme for the event, including daily trips to the gym at 5.30am.

Chris said: "It becomes more real every day. We try to keep ourselves busy and not think about how huge the challenge is.

"We know there might be arguments and tears and homesickness and we might get fed up with seeing the same person every day.

"But we also know people deal with a lot bigger things day to day."

The pair have set themselves the target of raising £100,000 for Bradford charities close the their hearts - Bradford Hospitals Charity Neonatal Unit and Centrepoint, which helps homeless youngsters.

Freelance designer Chris said that although some friends and family said it was a "little bit crazy", they have been supportive of the challenge.

And he said their partners are "100 per cent supportive".

Chris is due to become a dad in July and said he is trying not to imagine how difficult it will be to wave goodbye to his loved ones when he sets off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands in December 2019.

He said: "I have thought about the moment we leave but I'm trying to push it to the back of my mind.

"I don't know how it will feel to leave my family and my child. But James' wife and my girlfriend are both very supportive and behind the challenge."

In preparation for the event, Chris and James need to get "extremely fit", learn first aid and secure corporate sponsors to help them fund a specialist boat.

The pair are likely to burn around 10,000 calories a day during the relentless challenge and will need to carry all of their food and supplies on board.

Although there are support teams following competitors on the route, Chris said the minute they call for help they are out of the race.

He added that he is hoping to "raise the profile" of Bradford by taking part in the event and inspire people by showing them that anything is possible.

He said: "We believe that anyone can achieve the unthinkable."

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Chris and James, who have named their team Hell Oar High Water, are now working with their chosen charities and preparing their boat for the next stage of training.

The pair are also looking for corporate sponsors to help fund the challenge.

For more information or to sponsor Hell Oar High Water visit hohw.co.uk