Diabetic set for rowing challenge

Scott McNaughton and Neil Hunter will begin the race in December

A diabetic man from Surrey is joining forces with a friend from Hertfordshire to row non-stop across the Atlantic.

Neil Hunter, 36, from Godalming, and team-mate Scott McNaughton, 33, from Hitchin, will set off from La Gomera, in the Canary Islands, on 2 December.

The 2,935-mile Woodvale Challenge race will finish in Antigua in February.

Mr Hunter, a marine engineer in the Navy, said his need for regular insulin injections would not stop him in his quest for glory.

The two rowers, who are raising money for the charity Diabetes UK, will take turns doing alternate rowing shifts of two hours, 24 hours a day.

'Competitive edge'

Mr Hunter said: "Although being diabetic affects my life, it most certainly does not inhibit my life.

"Sensible help, advice and preparation means that we stand just as good a chance of winning as every other competitor.

"Sportsmen at all levels should not consider diabetes as something that takes away a competitive edge."

His condition will be monitored throughout the rowing feat by physician and endocrinologist Dr Ian Gallen, who helped Olympic champion Sir Steven Redgrave continue rowing after being diagnosed with diabetes in 1997.