A HAMPSHIRE soldier is bidding to make history as he attempts to be the first person to row from Europe to America.
Today, British soldier and Hamble-Le-Rice local, Jack Jarvis, will embark from Portugal as part of a solo rowing trip all the way to Miami.
Covering a whopping 4,500 nautical miles, the journey is set to take nearly 100 days to complete and will see the 28-year-old cover almost 50 miles every 24-hours.
No one has ever rowed solo from mainland Europe to North America before meaning Jarvis will mark his place in the history books if completed.
But his real motivation for taking on the challenge is to pay tribute to his late grandfather, who passed away in 2007 from a brain tumour.
An online fundraiser has been set up with all money raised due to go to the charity, Brainstrust, which provides support to people with a brain tumour and their loved ones.
The military man hopes to raise £50,000 and has even re-mortgaged his flat to help himself make the target.
Operational costs to get to the start line of a challenge such as this are said to cost an excess of £90,000.
Jack Jarvis said: “It’s now all about getting in the right frame of mind while also raising as much money as possible. Any donation, no matter how big or small, is really appreciated.
“I’m under no illusions as to how hard this will be but I really can’t wait to get started and give it my all!”
Jarvis had previously run a marathon while carrying a 26kg rowing machine to raise funds as well.
Dr Helen Bulbeck, Founder and Director of Services and Policy for Brainstrust, added: “We are humbled by the challenge that Jack is undertaking to support the brain cancer community.
“His efforts will help everyone who is living with a brain tumour to access support that will enable them to be people first, rather than patients. It is down to Jack that more people will be able to live their best possible day, in the face of their own challenges.”
During his time in the military, Jack completed basic training in Winchester before being posted to 59 Commando in North Devon.
The donate, search for ‘Jack Jarvis Row Solo from Europe to North America’ on n Just Giving.
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