A man will extend his love affair with the ocean when he heads off on a journey of discovery and rows the Atlantic single-handedly.

Nicolas Carvajal Uribe, 31, is due to set off from the Canary Islands on January 10 and hopes to complete the 3,000-mile treacherous row by March 30, when he hopes to arrive in Antigua.

The former ACS Cobham International student will row unassisted to raise funds for Cancer Research, a charity close to his heart.

Mr Uribe’s brother battled and beat Hodgkins Lymphoma in 1994 and his grandfather succumbed to multiple cancers last year.

He said: “Seeing first-hand the new lease of life granted to someone who has beaten cancer and the devastation caused when that battle is lost has made me want to ensure more stories are told by survivors rather than their bereft loved ones and for this reason I am rowing for Cancer Research.”

Mr Uribe said his best memories are of the ocean, snorkelling on family holidays aged seven, fishing with his brother, and learning to scuba dive aged 14.

He said: “These experiences growing up led me to become a commercial diver and keen sailor and over the years I have spent countless hours either on or below the ocean’s surface. I see rowing an ocean as an extension of this love affair.”

His boat is currently in Christchurch, Devon, undergoing repairs and making her seaworthy before she sets off.

As an innovative way to raise funds, Mr Uribe is offering people the chance to have their face on his boat.

For a minimum donation of £30, you can have your mugshot on a dedicated section of the boat.

Mr Uribe said: “It will make a huge difference to my morale out there to see photos of everyone who is supporting me and my aim is to cover as much of my boat as possible with your faces.”

Visit oceansolo.com for details on how to donate.