AFTER nearly 40 days at sea, four Yorkshiremen, known collectively as team Row4Victory, have finished fifth in their epic 3000-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

In an eight-metre boat, the men had rowed around the clock every day since they set off on December 12 from La Gomera in the Canary Islands.

In a race involving 27 teams, Row4Victory came fifth.

Rowing to raise money for military charities SoldierOn and the Royal British Legion, Row4Victory reached the finish line at Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua at 3.30am GMT on January 21.

The team consists of four friends from North Yorkshire: Duncan Roy, Fraser Mowlem, Glyn Sadler and Will Quarmby, who said: “Well, we’ve only gone and done it! Three thousand miles of open ocean crossed with nothing but oars and Yorkshire grit.

"To see land, then lights, then boats, then people really built our excitement, adrenaline and the feeling of achievement. The crowning glory was to see the faces of the family, friends and sponsors that were able to make it to the finish line.

"Faces and voices we are used to seeing and hearing in Yorkshire made it truly feel like coming home.”

Founding trustee of Ryedale-based charity SoldierOn, Nicholas Harrison, said: "In 10 years of us helping people to 'soldier on', we have never before received such committed support as we have done from Duncan, Fraser, Glyn and Will of team Row4Victory. Working with these four is an honour and a pleasure and our gratitude will endure forever.

“The money they raise will be spent on helping disadvantaged, vulnerable or socially isolated people to take the first steps towards independent, meaningful and happier futures.

"Much of this has only been made possible through 3,000 miles of rowing, blisters, injuries, attacks by flying fish, near drownings at the hands of an overly amorous jelly fish, and a near miss with a tanker. What else can we say but... thank you team Row4Victory."

Support Row4Victory by sponsoring or donating via row4victory.com/donate or by texting 70070 with the code ROWV59 followed by £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10.