Atlantic row for town actor

AN ACTOR will be swapping the stage for life at sea later this year.

East Grinstead-based actor Peter Gadiot will be among a 10 man team hoping to row the Atlantic Ocean.

The group is taking on the challenge to mark United Nations' International day for the Abolition of Slavery and he is also hoping to highlight the problems of slavery and trafficking.

The crew will also try to break the 33 day world record for their trip across the Atlantic.

Mr Gadiot said: "Having travelled to many countries across the world and seen, first hand, some of the effects of modern day slavery, I really wanted to do something big to raise awareness of this issue."

The Rowing Against Slavery challenge will take the 10 men on a 3,000 mile journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean.

The team will row continuously for 24 hours everyday, taking it in turns to row for two hours at a time, before having a two hour break.

They will endure blisters, temperamental weather conditions and sharks, as well as no cooked food and no toilet facilities.

The former Baldwins Hill and Imberhorne School student has had no previous rowing experience.

He added: "I aim to increase awareness of the problem to help combat this pernicious and degrading crime. The campaign is in support of organisations that campaign against slavery and exploitation in all its forms, such as Anti-Slavery International and Fairtrade Foundation."

To sponsor or donate goods to help raise money for the anti-slavery charities go to the project's website at www.rowingagainstslavery.org