A RYEDALE-based charity is one of two causes being supported by an epic trans-Atlantic race.

SoldierOn, which supports ex-servicemen into new careers, and the Royal British Legion (RBL), are the chosen charities of the Row4Victory team - the four Yorkshire men who are rowing the Atlantic ocean as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2018.

The team is in the last stages of preparation after two years of training. The 3,000 mile race from the Canary Islands to Antigua starts on December 12.

It will take between 35 and 50 days, with the team rowing two-hour shifts in pairs, 24 hours a day.

One of the rowers, Will Quarmby, former owner of a deli in Sheriff Hutton, said that the team are prepared and eager to get going.

“Preparations are going really well,” he said. “We’re just raring to go really. It’s been a two-year project.”

All the rowers in the race - there are just under 30 teams in total - are required by the rules to spend at least 100 hours in a their boat on the sea prior to the start.

The RBL and Soldier On were chosen as charities with the race falling in the centenary year of the end of the First World War.

SoldierOn offer personal development programmes - in particular field archaeology and heritage projects - to help rehabilitate veterans and the wider community suffering from complex and often long-term poor mental health, substance abuse, social exclusion, or unemployment.

Nicholas Harrison. founding trustee of the charity, said: "We were thrilled to be chosen as a benefitting charity of Row4Victory's epic challenge.

"We deliver two things. Firstly, we use archaeology and heritage projects to help vulnerable, socially-isolated and disadvantaged people to secure a firm platform of positivity and happiness from which they can move forward in life.

"Secondly, we offer participants a place on a two-day, personal development course, delivered near Malton, to continue an individual's journey to secure a more flourishing, meaningful and independent life.

"No member of staff is paid a salary so the money raised through the Atlantic row will be spent entirely on project delivery to benefit the most needy in our society.

"We wish to reiterate our most sincere thanks to Duncan. Fraser, Glyn, and Will for the sacrifices they are making to their work, family and free time to support our efforts to help people to soldier on."