Two Teddington rowers are planning to strip off for a perilous 4,350 mile trip across the Indian Ocean in a self-built boat to raise cash for charity.

Daring Roger Haines and Tom Lee will have to manage around 2.6m oar strokes during the mammoth challenge which will see them travel from the coast of Australia to Mauritius.

The pair will brave 50ft waves, 17 species of shark, 10 types of whale and even pirates - and they will do it completely nude for most of their 105-day journey in order to avoid chafing.

They hope to raise £100,000 for charity, as well as become the first duo to row across the Indian Ocean - the third largest in the world.

Roger and Tom are one of 30 teams competing in the Indian Ocean Race 2009, and despite putting £30,000 of their own money into the contest they still need £40,000 for items including a medical kit, a life raft, insurance and food provisions.

They need businesses to sponsor them to help them raise money for Asthma UK and an educational trust in Sierra Leone which funds scholarships to attend Fourah Bay College in the West African country’s capital Freetown.

The pair’s boat, christened Dream It, Do It, took over 750 hours to assemble and measures just 23.4ft long and 6.3ft wide. They will be rowing 24 hours a day in alternating two-hour shifts.

Roger, 50, the captain of The Skiff Club and ex-Royal Navy diver Tom, 44, both from Broom Park will set off on April 2009 with teams due to arrive at Port Louis, Mauritius up to 105 days later.

Dad-of-two Roger said: “I’m very lucky to have such a supportive family, partner Amanda and crew mate Tom, without who I would not be able to realise what’s been a dream for nine years - to row an ocean while leaving behind a legacy to help others through the wonderful work of the charity Asthma UK.”

Tom, a representative of De La Rue for Africa said: “I have had some challenges in my life, serving in Iraq in 2003, but this is taking things to a new level. My wife has been very supportive, although I know it will be difficult for her to manage our sons, aged six and eight, for four months. The boys are very keen to come with us.”

Roger was inspired to fundraise for Asthma UK after suffering from the condition as a child. Tom wants to help the African project he founded with the Bank of Sierra Leone in 2005.

They have already received sponsorship or donations from a number of businesses including Richmond Physiotherapy, PR Superstar, David Clulow Opticians and Nova Brick.

For more information on the race go to indianoceanrace2009.com. To sponsor the pair call Roger on 07739 131 031.