THEY are planning to row the Atlantic in a bid to raise £100,000 for a charity that is close to their hearts.

Now two Hampshire sailors have received another sponsorship boost as they prepare for their 3,000-mile voyage across the world’s second biggest ocean.

Dr Greg Bailey and his half-brother, Jude Massey, aim to set off from Gran Canaria in January next year.

They are on the crest of a wave after Lymington Yacht Haven (LYH) agreed to sponsor them to the tune of more than £1,000.

The deal includes a cash donation and an agreement to store their tiny 20ft boat at the facility as the countdown to their journey begins in earnest.

LYH director Rupert Wagstaff said: “We’re delighted to offer our support to Greg and Jude to help them complete their epic challenge. The brothers have come on an incredible journey to reach this point and we’re fully invested to help them achieve their goal.”

Greg and Jude, both from Lymington, call themselves the Ocean Brothers.

They are making the journey in memory of Peter Massey - Jude’s father and Greg’s stepfather. The Lymington businessman, inset, died aged 63 in 2015 after battling skin cancer for 16 years.

He was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma at the age of 49 and underwent an operation, but the cancer returned and eventually entered his skull.

As his condition deteriorated he lost an eye and became so disfigured he lacked the confidence to leave his house.

The Ocean Brothers hope their eight-week voyage from Gran Canaria to Barbados will raise a six-figure for the British Skin Foundation.

Greg, a junior doctor, said: “Working in medicine I’ve seen how charities such as the Foundation are reliant upon public donations and fundraising to continue their life-saving research.“Jude and I have been on or near the water since a young age this is the perfect challenge to honour our father.”

The deal they have clinched with Lymington Yacht Haven comes just weeks after it was announced that the Ocean Brothers had received £15,000 from the Skin Health Alliance.

All the sponsorship cash they secure will offset the cost of the voyage, boosting their chances of achieving their fundraising target.