A GROUP of friends will take on the treacherous challenge of rowing across the Atlantic to raise awareness of a charity near and dear to their hearts.

Harry Wentworth-Stanley, 27, from Milland, Rory Buchanan, 28, Toby Fenwicke-Clennell, 27 and Sam Greenly, 27 from Andover make up the Row for James team which will embark on the 3,000-mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

The team will be raising money for the James Wentworth-Stanley Memorial fund, set up following the death of Harry’s older brother.

James took his own life, aged 21, after becoming unsettled following an operation to correct a varicocele, an abnormal enlargement of the veins draining one of his testicles.

Following the procedure James quickly became very anxious, depressed and ultimately suicidal.

The Wentworth-Stanley family set up the charity to help raise awareness of anxiety, depression and suicide among young people and to tackle the terrible and shocking statistic that suicide is the leading cause of death among young men in the UK.

Part of raising the charity’s profile is having the four friends take part in this gruelling challenge, which will see them burn around 8,000 calories a day and lose approximately 20 per cent of their body weight over the duration of the race, which starts on December 14.

The quartet has been in training ahead of the event, but for Harry his focus is on remembering why he is taking part.

“This race is more than just a physical challenge, we’re rowing in aid of a cause that’s incredibly close to my heart,” said the 27-year-old.

“I’ve been on the hunt for an adventure that felt like an appropriate tribute, and we want to take this feat on and win the race this year.”

He added: “The more people who know James’s story the better. If there’s anything James has taught me it’s to communicate. Men put pressure on themselves. That, combined with too much pride and not wanting to show weakness, means you get into a spiral where you are putting strain on yourself but are incapable of talking and relieving it.”

The group has been juggling their day jobs where Harry is a chartered surveyor, Toby is an investment director, Rory commercial property investor and Sam a Captain of the Scots Guards in the British Army to go through the rigorous training regime for the task ahead.

The Row for James team has already collected more than £300,000 in donations and are aiming to raise a further £100 for each day they are at sea, with their overall target being to raise £500,000.

Sarah Fleming, Talisker brand manager, said: “We are delighted that Row for James have signed up to the race.

“To us, the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is a perfect opportunity to support a remarkable adventure that at the same time benefits so many worthy charities.”

To keep track of the journey click here