Four soldiers from the British Army have embarked on a journey that will see them race over 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge Race is the premier rowing event in the world and four friends are taking on the challenge hoping to raise money for the Army Benevolent Fund.

On December 12, Lt Col Rich Hall Capt. Alex Walsh, Private Kian Hall and Capt Chris Hames started the event.

Capt Chris Hames has worked his way through various roles in the service, but it all started after he joined Sodbury and Yate Army Cadets whilst he was a student at the nearby Chipping Sodbury Secondary School.

As part of the team he hopes to raise over £100,000 for the ABF, whilst racing from the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua.

They will be competing with 30 other teams who all hope to be the fastest to complete the crossing.

Chris moved to Yate from Coleford , Bath at the age of 13 with his parents and sister.

He attended Chipping Sodbury School, joined Sodbury and Yate Army Cadets and Yate and District Athletics Club becoming a very proficient javelin thrower.

After leaving Chipping Sodbury School he joined the Army and became a PTI in the Physical Training Corp.

He worked his way through the ranks and became a Regimental Sergeant Major, he then applied for Late Entry Officer Training and was awarded a place at Sandhurst, and has attained the rank of Captain.

Chris is married to Helen and has a daughter Scarlett and lives in Saltburn Yorkshire.

During his 30 year career Chris has served in Northern Ireland, Iraq 1st Gulf War, Cyprus, Bosnia, Iraq followed by Kuwait with American Troops in the 2nd Gulf War, and then Afghanistan.

3 years ago Chris successfully completed a 24 hour mountain walking challenge raising £4000 for a local Saltburn family whose daughter had suffered a catastrophic accident but the estimated 6 to 7 weeks rowing across the Atlantic will be one of the biggest challenges that he has ever undertaken, he will be facing such hazards as, exposure, sleep deprivation, and exhaustion. The crew will be rowing for two hours with two hours rest continually during the voyage.

This is not the first challenge Chris has undertaken, but despite the potential obstacles Chris feels mentally and physical prepared and is looking forward to the adventure.