FORMER King's College students Hugo and Ross Turner are preparing to row across the Atlantic Ocean and raise £150,000 for charity.

The tireless twins will tackle the mammoth 3,000-mile Atlantic Rowing Race in aid of Spinal Research, nearly seven years after Hugo severely damaged his spinal cord in a freak accident.

Then aged 17, Hugo's C7 vertebrae was crushed following the incident at a beach in Rock, Cornwall, and he had to undergo surgery for neck reconstruction.

He embarked on a long and painful process of recovery, including being able to walk again, and is now putting his injury behind him to raise money for the charity.

Hugo and Ross will form the Atlantic4 crew with university friends Greg Symondson and Adam Wolley and hope set world records for the youngest four-man crew and the first twins to row across any ocean in the world.

Hugo said: “My life was put on hold for two years - they said I would never be able to play sport again.

“By rowing the Atlantic, I want to raise vital funds to research a cure for paralysis. I am fortunate enough to be able to attempt to row the Atlantic and realise how close I was to being paralysed - this will be a very personal challenge for me at every level.”

The crew will depart for the challenge on December 4 following extensive sea survival skills.

TO find out how to sponsor their efforts, and keep up to date with their progress, click the related links below.