Sir Andrew Triggs Hodge deliver message of support to the Ocean Brothers

Sir Andrew Triggs Hodge was on hand when Greg Bailey and Jude Massey arrived in Putney after rowing from Lymington to London as part of their arduous training programme.

Hodge, 38, was one of the world's top rowers between 2013 and 2016.

He won four gold medals and the world championships and three golds at the Olympics, including one at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Dubbed the Ocean Brothers, Greg, 27, and Jude, 18, are planning to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in January next year.

They are bidding to raise £100,000 for the British Skin Foundation, which funds research into skin cancer.

Hodge greeted Greg and Jude as they arrived in Putney in the tiny 20ft boat in which they intend to make the 3,000-mile voyage from Gran Canaria to Barbados.

Hodge told them: "Good luck and congrats on taking on such an epic challenge.

"I hope in every way it is a success, both in raising money for skin cancer research and awareness of such an important cause."

Sir Chay said: "They will need determination, courage and strength and I believe they have plenty of that."

The Ocean Brothers are making the trip in memory of Peter Massey - Jude's father and Greg's stepfather - who died aged 63 in 2015 after battling skin cancer for 16 years.

Their training run from Lymington to London took seven days and covered a distance of 210 nautical miles.

The brothers have also received messages of support from legendary explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie and round-the world yachtsman Sir Chay Blyth.

Sir Ranulph said: "Battling the full force of the Atlantic for such a moving and deeply touching cause is an inspiration to any family suffering the loss of a loved one to skin cancer."

Sir Chay added: "They will need determination, courage and strength and I believe they have plenty of that."

Donations can be made by going online and visiting justgiving.com/fundraising/oceanbrothers.