A former royal marine from Alton is preparing for an extraordinary challenge, the World's Toughest Row.

Lee James, alongside his friend Peter Sage, will row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, starting from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 12, aiming to reach Antigua in the Caribbean in approximately 45 days.

Their goal is not only to conquer one of the most physically demanding races on the planet, but also to raise £1 million for charities supporting veterans' mental health.

The journey, which will see the duo battle harsh weather, towering waves, sleep deprivation, and isolation, is an immense test of endurance. The World’s Toughest Row is renowned for its extreme difficulty, with more people having journeyed to space than those who have successfully rowed across the Atlantic as a pair.

After training for years, however, Lee insists “we’re at the point now where we just want to go.”

“We’re both prepared for it, despite that we haven't experienced a 40-foot wave yet, we’re very aware there will be conditions we’ve yet to experience,” he said.

“On the other hand, we have experienced some harsh weather in our UK training, so we know our boat can take it. As long as we trust our boat, our kit and our training, we think we’ll be fine. But yes, our nerves are there to some extent.”

Lee, 53, who served for 22 years in the marines, is motivated by his grandfather, Robert ‘Bob’ Hardy, who turns 100 this year and is one of the last surviving D-Day veterans. Despite his valour, Bob quietly carried the emotional scars of war for decades, believing them to be part of the job. Only recently did he share the toll his experiences had taken on his mental health.

Lee, inspired by his grandfather’s strength and resilience, and Peter hope to raise £1 million, approximately one pound per stroke, to highlight the importance of mental health support for both veterans and the general public.

“One of the royal marines commando spirits is cheerfulness in the face of adversity,” Lee said. “This is something I have had to call on many times, having a smile or making a joke gets you through tough times.

“We used this as a mantra - our boat’s called Cheerfulness and our team is Team Cheerfulness. We hope to inspire other people who might be going through difficulties.

“It doesn't have to be rowing across the Atlantic, it could be getting out of bed in the morning, or going to the gym, or doing their first 5k run.”

As part of their commitment to the royal marines’ motto Per Mare, Per Terram, Latin for by sea, by land, Lee and Peter will take on the North Pole Marathon next year. Held in one of the world's most inhospitable regions, where temperatures can plummet to -40°C, it is known as one of the world’s most extreme races.

As well as for his sponsors and supporters, Lee thanked his wife Clare. “Although she was a bit skeptical at first, she’s been hugely supportive of is. She’s really been the anchor for it all, she’s been great,” Lee said.

To support the challenge, visit www.teamcheerfulness.com