A FORMER army captain is replicating one of the toughest rowing challenges to raise money for a local military charity.

Mike Lee, from Warminster, is rowing 3,500 miles from the comfort of his own home – replicating the distance rowed in the annual Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, to raise money for Help for Heroes.

Mr Lee served in the military for 30 years in a career which took him all over the world from Korea to Bosnia and he has worked at Help for Heroes’ recovery centre, Tedworth House, for the last year, making the challenge even more rewarding for him.

“It definitely makes the challenge more fulfilling to me because I am seeing the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans that I am raising money for every day,” said the 56-year-old.

“I started the challenge in October 2016 and will complete it this summer.

“It can be hard work but nothing compared to what the wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans go through on a daily basis.

“If I can help our heroes by experiencing a fraction of the discomfort they do and apply myself to a daily grind in order to raise some money to help them meet their goals then the effort will have been hugely worthwhile.”

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic route starts on the West Coast of Africa and finishes 3,500 miles away on the East Coast of South America – taking around three months to complete.

Mr Lee rows two times a day, six days a week, 24km every day and has set himself the challenge of raising £10,000.

To follow his progress visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Michael-Lee27